Skip to Content

Last week LA City Council voted to boycott Arizona.  Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa still has to approve the boycott but he already has expressed his support for the economic ban that would suspend official travel and future contracts with state businesses.  Now, Gary Pierce, a commissioner on the five-member Arizona Corporation Commission has responded to the ban with this letter to the Mayor:

"I received your message; please receive mine. As a statewide elected member of the Arizona Corporation Commission overseeing Arizona's electric and water utilities, I too am keenly aware of the 'resources and ties' we share with the city of Los Angeles," Pierce wrote.

"If an economic boycott is truly what you desire, I will be happy to encourage Arizona utilities to renegotiate your power agreements so Los Angeles no longer receives any power from Arizona-based generation. I am confident that Arizona's utilities would be happy to take those electrons off your hands," Pierce wrote. "If, however, you find that the City Council lacks the strength of its convictions to turn off the lights in Los Angeles and boycott Arizona power, please reconsider the wisdom of attempting to harm Arizona's economy."

Although Pierce acknowledged he spoke for himself and not the entire commission, it is quite clear where this is going.  Reconsider the ban or we turn the power off.  Currently, West Hollywood, Oakland, San Diego and San Francisco have already passed resolutions to boycott Arizona.

The Mayor is not expected to respond to the threats.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from L.A. TACO

‘We Will Win:’ USC Students Won’t Back Down, Committing To Their Fight For Palestine Despite Arrests

One of their main demands is for the school to not only commit to a complete academic boycott of Israel and their killing of Palestinians, but also to be transparent about how much the school is investing. 

Swarm of Police in Riot Gear Destroy Peaceful Pro-Palestine Encampment At UCLA During Early Morning Raid, Over 200 Arrested

At 4 AM, CHP broke through the fencing on the other side of the encampment and set up a police line, consistently firing flash-bang grenades into the air. They also fired on protestors with “less-lethal” munitions and rubber bullets, causing an injury to one protester’s face that required stitches. 

May 3, 2024

Ten Palestinian-Owned Restaurants to Support in L.A. and O.C.

Supporting our local Palestinian restaurants not only allows you to experience excellent cooking and recipes from a culture and people who have been making these dishes for generations, but it also helps to broaden our worldviews on a culture some forces seek to bury and erase. 

May 2, 2024

Where To Find Don Perico, The Mexican-Owned Brand Bringing Tropical Flavors To Dispensaries

The products, with their festive packaging, tropical flavors, and colorful parrot mascot, are relatable and better yet, they taste great, are fast-acting, and strong.

April 30, 2024
See all posts