Arizona Governor Jan Brewer Vetos SB 1062 "Religious Freedom" Bill
My agenda is to sign into law legislation that advances Arizona. When I addressed the Legislature earlier this year, I made my priorities for this session abundantly clear… Among them are passing a responsible budget that continues Arizona’s economic Comeback. From CEOs -- to entrepreneurs -- to business surveys -- Arizona ranks as one the best states to grow or start a business. Additionally, our IMMEDIATE challenge is fixing a broken Child Protection system. Instead, this is the first policy bill to cross my desk.
I'm very disgusted with the Arizona State Senate and Arizona House of Representatives. The fact that they have purposely chosen to ignore the serious and important issues that exists in Arizona, is an irreprehensible offense to all people. This bill posed a serious infringement on the rights of not only gay people in Arizona, but on all people. It would have stomped out the entire civil rights movement of the 1960's along with the little progress that the LGBT community has achieved in their fight to end their own discrimination. All under the guise of religious freedom. I'm embarrassed that a legislating body in the United States could carry out such an offensive act.
For anyone who has been sitting on the sidelines during the fight for equality for the LGBT, let this be an eye opener. Legalized discrimination against human beings was a signature away from becoming law, just a few hours ago. If the legislators in Arizona could launch such a stark and archaic attack on the LGBT community, they could do the same to Disabled Americans, Asian Americans, African Americans, women, or people of non-christian religious affiliation.
We have to become a united force of this issue. If we fail to reverse course on discrimination against the LGBT community, we will only have ourselves and our stubborn silence to blame for what lies ahead. It won't be pretty.
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out--Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out--Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out--Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me--and there was no one left to speak for me.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out--Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out--Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me--and there was no one left to speak for me.
Think about that for a moment......