National Tequila Party Movement punks racist Tea Party candidate in Arizona

The National Tequila Party Movement punked former Arizona Senate President and Tea Party member, Russell Pearce in Phoenix this week when they forced him to cancel his fundraiser Thursday night 3 times.

Former Arizona Senate President Russell Pearce is in an uphill race to get back in the Legislature with a tough Republican primary race against former SkyMall Inc. CEO and founder Bob Worsley. As many of you may recall, Pearce was recalled by voters last year and replaced by Jerry Lewis in a contentious campaign spearheaded by activists opposed to the former’s conservative immigration policies. There’s been questions about whether Pearce will continue this year’s campaign.

Pearce’s fundraiser was initially scheduled to be held at Macayo’s Restaurant in Phoenix until the Tequila Party Movement, a non-partisan counter to the Tea Party, contacted Gary Johnson, the CEO of Macayo’s informing him that they would protest the fund-raiser and will boycott Macayo’s “until further notice”. When questioned, Johnson stated that he was unaware of the Russell Pearce fundraiser until the National Tequila Party brought the controversial event to his attention.

Here is a copy of the letter they sent to Mr. Johnson:

Dear, Gary Johnson,

Mexican-Americans are tired of anti-Latino and anti-immigrant politicians referring to immigrants as “wetbacks” and making a mockery of us.

In 2006 and in 2010, the ousted Senator Russell Pearce is on the record for welcoming operation wetback. In fact, at a Republican meeting, I communicated to Republicans and to Russell Pearce to stop using that derogatory term in 2010 shortly after Jan Brewer signed the SB 1070 law which has harmed Latino families and Arizona businesses. As you may already know, the ousted Senator Russell Pearce is the main sponsor to SB 1070, in fact, his Arizona law sparked similar laws across the country that contributed to anti-Latino sentiment across our Nation. Now, we believe Russell Pearce wants to make a mockery out of Latinos now by hosting his fundraising event at your Mexican restaurant. I know Pearce can host his fundraiser where ever he wants to, but Mexican-Americans, Chicanos and Latinos can also invoke our freedom of expression to protest and boycott companies who allow bigots to have events at their companies and restaurants.

There is a time where we have to stand up and say, “bigotry is not right and I don’t want any part of it.”

Is it really worth it for Macayo’s to host a fundraising event of a known extremist knowing the backlash and consequences this will bring for future years?

Russell Pearce has had the endorsement and backing of anti-Latino Sheriff Joe Arpaio, and both continue to make a mockery out of Latinos today. In fact, another Latino inmate died mysteriously in Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s prison and Latinos can no longer ignore the horrible atrocities against our people. I recall Sheriff Joe Arpaio making jokes about the mysterious Mexican deaths at his prisons at a GOP meeting when Arpaio was criticizing John McCain in 2008. Enough is enough. Our people are hurting enough as it is without the continued mockery being made against Mexicans and immigrants.

We are rising up, and we will let our voice be heard.

Best regards, DeeDee Garcia Blase
Co-President
The Tequila Party National Movement
(480) 200-3748
Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Pearce then tried to reschedule the event at Oaxaca Restaurant. The Tequila Party National Movement quickly mobilized issuing the following statement shortly after the announcement was made rescheduling the event:

Minutes later, we learned that the Russell Pearce campaign tried to schedule their event at OAXACA Restaurant, but we notified the manger, Joseph Aguayo of the Tea Party event and they are not allowing the Pearce fundraiser to occur at their venue either.

The Russell Pearce campaign then changed their venue, yet again, for a 3rd time to the Central High School Library at approximately 2:00 pm late in the afternoon. The Tequila Party then notified the Central High Public Relations representative immediately by telephone and by written communication. After a brief meeting with Superintendent Timothy Scribner, the public relations office issues the following statement:

Community use of school facilities can be used for political meetings and commercial rates would apply. In this case, given the extremely late notice, and anticipated turnout, we are unable to staff this event appropriately, therefore it has been cancelled.

-Renee Ryon, Community Relations Specialist”

The Tequila Party has a strong message for Russell Pearce: 3 Strikes and you are out. Tequila is much stronger than tea, particularly in Arizona!

You must be logged in to post a comment Login