Durham’s city council will vote soon on whether to stop all government travel to Arizona since the city’s Human Relations Commission opposes Arizona’s illegal immigration law. The Commission had first recommended a boycott of all business with Arizona but the Herald-Sun reports City Attorney Patrick Baker told the council they can’t do that.
If individuals want to engage in personal boycotts based on personal views, fine by me. Government boycotts, however, are something else. Government represents all its citizens and citizens are not monolithic in their views. Durham should stay out of this. Remember, boycotts can work both ways. What would the Durham city council say if, for example, Arizona’s elected officials decided to boycott Durham because it is home to the disbarred rogue DA Mike Nifong and a city in which the police chief has been shot at?
