Everyone is welcome: TUES DEC 8, 11AM PRESS CONFERENCE IN OPPOSITION TO NAME OF ILLEGAL PETE'S RESTAURANT What: Opposition to the name of illegal Pete's Mexican restaurant When: December 8th, 11am Where: Front of Illegal Pete’s restaurant University/Tyndall Who: Concerned faculty, staff, students & community Why: Restaurant will create a negative environment for the university community and the Tucson community We gather to express our concern about the name of this new restaurant, "Illegal Pete's." The title includes "illegal", a racial/ethnic slur. The Drop the i-word campaign has worked to eliminate the use of the word “illegal” or "illegals" in reference to people because it feeds into hate crimes, hate rhetoric and fuels violence. The Associated press and other major news outlets have dropped the i-word. On December 10th at 5 p.m., Illegal Pete's restaurant is slated to open on the corner of University and Tyndall, in the heart of our university community, a place that has been a traditional location for the University’s pep rallies for all the big games where hundreds of students and community members come together. Given Arizona's political climate, which includes living with the anti immigrant SB1070 (which results in the racial profiling of brown peoples and the breaking apart of families) and the anti ethnic studies HB 2281 and the associated hate rhetoric, opening such a restaurant at the Maingate of the UA amounts to fanning the flames of prejudice. Concerned faculty, staff, students and community members have met with the owner to discuss their concerns about student safety and hostile climate. Hateful comments against students have already been evident in the recent newspaper articles about University of Arizona student’s response to the name of the restaurant. The University of Arizona is committed to respect and equity. These messages are exemplified in the University mission, Never Settle Strategic Plan, endorsed by President Hart. In a recent message to the campus community from President Hart, Lynn Nadel Sarah Netherton, and Manuel Felix they state that “We will not tolerate any form of discrimination against any member of our community. It is not a license to censorship nor a denial of academic or other freedoms, but it is an insistence upon respect for the wide range of perspectives and experiences reflected in our multicultural environment.” On Tues Dec 8 at 11am, as concerned members of the UA/Tucson community, we will state our reasons why we think the name of this restaurant will contribute negatively to our university, the safety of our students, staff and faculty and local Tucson community. Contact: Roberto Rodriguez XColumn@gmail.com