Minneapolis, MN - One June 14, about 30 immigrants and immigrant rights supporters picketed outside of Jimmy Johns sandwich shop at Block E in downtown Minneapolis. Jimmy Johns is one of the companies targeted in the national boycott against Arizona in response to SB1070, the racist anti-immigrant law Arizona passed in April. The protest demanded that Jimmy Johns founder James ‘Jimmy John’ Liautaud stop supporting anti-immigrant politicians in Arizona such as Joe Arpaio and John McCain.
When the protest began, franchise owner Rob Mulligan came out of the store and offered the protesters free sandwiches, which they refused. He then handed out a statement to the protesters which said he respects their right to protest against SB1070, but doesn't want his business to be a target. When pressed on what his position is on SB1070, he said he would sign a petition against SB1070 but only "in a personal capacity." He also said he'd pass on the protesters' message to the national office.
Prior to the 2008 election, the Liautaud Development Group LLC (which is run by Jimmy John Liautaud) funneled $10,000 to the Sheriff Command Association, which smeared Mayor Joe Arpaio's opponent, Dan Saban. Nationally, Liautaud has funded Senator John McCain, who supports SB1070 (giving him $4600 in 2008), as well as contributing $5000 in 2009 to the Free and Strong America PAC, which contributes to anti-immigrant U.S. Representatives and Senators. Jimmy Johns franchises pay a percentage of their profits to the central company, so money spent at Jimmy Johns in Minnesota is being used to fund anti-immigrant politicians in Arizona who brought forward SB1070 and other anti-immigrant laws.
The Jimmy Johns protest on Monday was part of the Boycott Arizona-Minnesota (BAM!) campaign. BAM! is a campaign of the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAc) to spread the Arizona boycott in Minnesota in response to SB1070, and to fight against similar anti-immigrant laws and proposals in Minnesota. The campaign will continue to target businesses like Jimmy Johns and politicians that support SB1070.
A video from the protest, including an interview with protesters and with the franchise owner , is available here on TheUpTake.org.
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More info
There's more info on why Jimmy Johns is a target of the national boycott here: http://www.boycottarizona1070.com/jimmy.php.
And more info on the Boycott Arizona-MN (BAM!) campaign is here: BAM!
Victory in Minneapolis!
Under pressure from the boycott, the franchise owner of the 9 Jimmy John's stores in Minneapolis and the western suburbs has signed a statement condemning SB1070 and calling for immigration reform. See article here. Adelante!
As an employee at Jimmy
As an employee at Jimmy John's I say THANK YOU for the advertising. We were busier than ever with the protesters. It actually helped our sales and profits. Jimmy get a very small percentage of royalties from our LOCALLY owned sub shop so even if it did hurt us Minnesotans, it did NOT affect Jimmy John who owns Jimmy John's in Illinois, Michigan, and ARIZONA!!!!
Mulligan signed of piece of
Mulligan signed of piece of paper to get these protesters to leave his business. Just cause he signed a piece of paper doesn't mean anything. It didn't change any political views in my opinion. I wouldn't call that a victory.
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