Once upon a time, Arizona Senator John McCain held a reasonable and nuanced position on immigration -- oh how times change. Still, Senator McCain, a veteran legislator, should know better than to fan the ugly flames of anti-immigrant sentiment in Arizona, of all places. 

Sen. McCain must apologize immediately for his recent comments stating that there was “substantial evidence” that the recent wildfires blazing throughout Arizona may have been sparked by "illegal immigrants."  U.S. Forest Service officials flatly deny this, saying there’s no evidence to support this. Last year McCain came under fire for stating that immigrants were intentionally causing accidents on the freeway. Sen. McCain may be trying to score political points, but he is also playing with fire.

This kind of incendiary rhetoric is dangerous, irresponsible, and simply unacceptable, at a time when hate crimes against those perceived as immigrants are on the rise nationally and tensions are at an all-time high in Arizona.

Please sign the petition asking Senator McCain to bow to the U.S. Forest Service evidence, apologize, and retract his incendiary statement immediately. Say no to fanning the flames of racism in Arizona.