Some consumers, protesting Arizona's strict new immigration law, are boycotting products from that s
(30 Apr 2010) HEADLINE: Arizona Tea caught in immigration law protest CAPTION: Some consumers, protesting Arizona's strict new immigration law, are boycotting products from that state. But the makers of Arizona Iced Tea want shoppers to know they're actually from New York. (April 30) (Long Island, New York) Some consumers say they are avoiding products from Arizona, to protest the strict new anti-immigration law there. This shopper says she when shopping for iced tea, she's going to avoid the Arizona brand. (Fran Vasta, Shopper) "Probably would not grab the Arizona. How come? I don't know just not comfortable." (Ted Shaffrey, The Associated Press) "But the Arizona tea company is actually based here in Woodbury, on New York's Long Island. It was founded in nearby Brooklyn, New York." NATS: cap coming off bottle of Arizona iced tea. The democratic state senator who represents this area wants this to be clear to everyone. (Craig Johnson, NY State Senator) "Arizona iced tea. Made in Woodbury, New York, right behind me. Not made in Arizona. Don't boycott it. Buy it." The Arizona Beverage Company is a private company and the guy from Brooklyn who started the business in 1992, Don Vultaggio, isn't saying if the immigration flap has hurt business. But the company is defending itself vigorously on Twitter against critics who think it is from Arizona. TAKE FS: Comedian George Lopez joked that he "Went to buy a ARIZONA Iced Tea...They asked me for my documentation. So I bought HORCHATA instead! TAKE FS: The tea company quickly responded "We're BIG fans! Just wanted to let you know that AriZona is and always has been a NY company and would love to send you some tea!" TAKE FS: AriZona is and always has been a NY based company (Born in BKLYN '92) To which Lopez apologized: TAKE FS: "I 'profiled you' and I'm sorry it was unconstitutional on my part to assume. I love your product! Thanks." The Arizona law goes into effect this summer and requires immigrants to carry papers proving they are in the country legally. Ted Shaffrey, The Associated Press, Woodbury, New York Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: / ap_archive Facebook: / aparchives Instagram: / apnews You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...
