Arizona's controversial new(ish) immigration law has prompted protests, boycotts and even copycat bills throughout the country. And this week during a Chicago City Council meeting, one alderman brought out the big guns: a Nazi Germany comparison.
While discussing why Chicago should boycott Arizona businesses, Ald. Danny Solis compared Arizona's law--which requires anyone suspected of being an illegal immigrant to provide their papers to law enforcement officers--to the Third Reich. NBC Chicago reports:
"In the early stages of Nazi Germany, there was a law that identified particular groups of people," Solis said in criticizing the Arizona immigration law. "This law has identified a particular group of people. This law is evil."
The discussion was part of a City Council vote that ultimately approved a boycott of Arizona businesses. To protest the tough immigration law, the resolution passed Wednesday urges the city not to renew contracts with Arizona and to sign no more with Arizona companies until the immigration law is repealed, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
The measure, however, does not cancel the four existing city contracts with Arizona companies.
Solis was not the only alderman with dramatic things to say about the immigration law.
Ald. Jim Balcer said the law has "divided our nation like the Vietnam War."
Only three aldermen protested the boycott. Ald. Pat O'Connor--who ultimately voted for the resolution--said the Chicago City Council was following a "dangerous path" in blasting members of another legislative body "for being knuckleheads," the Sun-Times reports.
"Clearly, we've all done some stupid things. Even us. Foie gras. How long ago was that?" O'Connor said.