L.A.'s city council has approved a boycott of Arizona businesses. It is the largest city to do so in response to Arizona's recent immigration law and ethnic studies ban.
The 13-1 vote, which came after emotional discussion in which several council members recounted their immigrant ancestors, was largely symbolic since only a small percentage of the city's business dealings are affected.
"An immigrant city, an international city, (Los Angeles) needs to have its voice heard," Councilman Ed Reyes said. "It is crucial this great city take a stand."
The resolution is expected to be signed by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. It bars the nation's second-largest city from conducting business or reaching new contracts with Arizona businesses unless the immigration law is repealed, and also prohibits most city business trips to the state.
Los Angeles has investments and contracts in Arizona worth as much as $58 million, much of which involve airport, port and energy service that can't lawfully be affected by the boycott. That leaves about $7.7 million in city contracts that could possibly be affected, said Councilwoman Janice Hahn, who co-authored the resolution.
Some of those contracts include helicopter services, Taser guns, waste management, engineering and surveillance equipment.
"Maybe some of those jobs and businesses could come back to L.A. and California," Hahn said.