Arizona Iced Tea Boycotted Over AZ Immigration Law, But...It's In New York

GARDEN CITY, N.Y. — A New York-based beverage company finds itself in the middle of the controversy over an Arizona immigration law simply because it shares its name with the state.

An initiative apparently started on the Internet asks people to boycott the AriZona Beverage Co. because of claims the law will unfairly target Hispanics.

The company is based in Woodbury, 20 miles east of New York City. It sells teas and juice blends such as Mucho Mango. Chairman Don Vultaggio says it was started by "two hardworking guys from Brooklyn" in 1992 and has always been in New York.

Democratic state Sen. Craig Johnson opposes the Arizona law but calls the boycott misguided.

The law requires local and state law enforcement to question people about their immigration statuses if there's reason to suspect they're in the country illegally.

Comments

[kingdaddy]

10:14 AM on 05/16/2010

I thank every one should boycott the ones boycotting.I bet all these places boycotting have 90% illegals working thats why they are pissed.They would have to start paying more than $2 an hour.

[dapoes]

12:53 AM on 05/05/2010

Figures dumb liberals would boycott a product that has nothing to do with Arizona legislation enforcing federal law.

[spytheweb]

05:17 AM on 05/15/2010

I'am a liberal and i support the law. You republicans all march in lockstep and believe all democrats are against this law, do some research. I drink all the AZ ice tea i can. I live in Las Vegas, but i'am from New Jersey. If you're here illegally you don't belong in the US.

[supertim]

12:08 PM on 05/04/2010

words and slogans have different meanings to different people, many people are not buying Arizona Diamonbacks merchandise since they dont want to be associated with the state, and it sorta reminds me of the urban legend back in the 90's when it was claimed that people should boycott Snapple because it was brewed by the KKK

the truth was that Rush Limbaugh used to drink Snapple on his now defunct syndicated TV show back in the 90's, so that is how the rumour got started and spread like wildfire, hurting Snapple's sales

[Chuck05]

10:49 AM on 05/04/2010

The people should be boycotting undocumented illegal people in this country. How the heck do you think the police can catch them when they commit crimes? The American citizens do not have the right to live in the shadows. Many murderers have made it back to mexico after committing a crime. Drink Arizona tea and thank Brooklyn, NY

[vippy]

07:59 AM on 05/04/2010

Does anyone really have anything to say about the stupidity of people in general. They go for silly things like Freedom Fries, now their ignorance shows up with the name sake tea. Sheeple they are indeed, takes one to lead and the rest follows.

[heroine addict]

03:26 PM on 05/02/2010

Like they say, "lie down with dogs, wake up without teas!"

[Patrick Britton]

03:33 AM on 05/02/2010

I think boycotting a state that may be using undocumented workers also hurts the workers. Fight for their rights as human beings. This is not going to benefit the workers.

[krystalxlyte]

01:24 PM on 05/01/2010

when are people going to stop cheapening the effects of boycotting with their need to feel apart of something bigger than themselves over an issue that is not really relevant to them? *Logging off to go grab a Arizona Green Tea*

[JazzyJim]

02:16 PM on 04/30/2010

Google AZ Chamber of Commerce and find the things that they do export (besides immigrants). Boycott them. Arizona Cardinals (MLB and NFL teams) for sure.

[JazzyJim]

02:14 PM on 04/30/2010

Change your name until sanity returns to the state - use the publicity in a good way. Sticker over AZ.

[JazzyJim]

02:13 PM on 04/30/2010

Change your name.

[kosa0504]

02:08 PM on 04/30/2010

Let's be smart about our boycotts and do something that will actually hurt Arizona, not a company with the bad luck to have the same name.
Plus, the AriZona teas rock!

[FRNCs]

01:21 PM on 04/30/2010

who comes up with this stuff?? its amazing.

[Eagleman]

11:50 AM on 04/30/2010

If some drinks Arizona Ice Tea wearing a Arizona Jeans pant and like to watch the Diamondback game then they should be a racist

[AZterritory]

06:46 PM on 05/01/2010

If they're watching the D-backs they're probably just sad ;-)

[PubicOption]

12:55 AM on 04/30/2010

Aww, I miss the good ole days when Bill O' demanded that we all boycott French products. B/c after all, those Frogs didn't believe our claims about WMDs in Iraq.

Whoops!