Prop 103 would needlessly make English the state's official language making it more difficult for non-English speakers to contribute to society and better themselves.
About Proposition 103
No On 103
Official English OK Would Change Little
10/30/06 | Arizona Republic
Those on both sides of Proposition 103 agree: Few things would change if Arizona voters make English the state's official language.
Prop. 103: NO
10/22/06 | Arizona Daily Star
English as official language
This measure would amend the state constitution to make English the official state language and require that state business be conducted in English.
Preserve Diversity & Access to Basic Services
America prides itself on diversity. We are a strong nation because of our melting pot and because we respect each other's cultures and traditions. We wrote our Constitution so as to grant individuals rights and liberties – not to take them away.
Proposition 103 creates a second class language in Arizona. In practical terms, it will shut non-English speakers (including elderly adults who are citizens, refugees that have been brought here for political freedom from places like the Sudan and Bosnia) out of our society. We won't be able to provide services to people who do not speak English – thus making them second class citizens within our own state. No one living in Arizona deserves to be treated as a second class citizen.
While we believe that all Arizonans should learn English. And, virtually every immigrant wants to learn English and make sure their children know English. According to recent studies, by the third generation, only 17 percent of Latinos speak Spanish fluently. Immigrants know that the key to a better life in America is learning the English language. Let's make it easier – not harder – for immigrants to assimilate into American life.
Proposition 103 writes discrimination into Arizona's constitution. It makes a statement that other languages and cultures aren't welcome in Arizona. And, that's not only bad for business – it's bad for our state's image. We don't want to be known as intolerant, we want to be known as a place that accepts all kinds of people – regardless of the color of your skin or the language that you speak.
Prop 103 is Bad for Business
Arizona businesses should be able to market their products to speakers of any language. By enshrining this kind of linguistic discrimination into Arizona's constitution, you temper business and government's ability to communicate with consumers who plan to use our goods and services.
If our businesses and our government services are not able to communicate with non-English speaking constituencies – they will go elsewhere to obtain those services. It doesn't make sense to force our government and our businesses to conduct their business in one language. Instead, we should be able to do business with anyone – regardless of what language they speak.
U.S. Latinos Lose Spanish Over Time, Study Finds
10/6/06 | Arizona Republic
PHOENIX, AZ -- Jessica Olguin dances salsa and cumbia. She belongs to a Latino-based club at Phoenix College, and most of her friends are Hispanic.
But the 19-year-old Latina doesn't speak Spanish.
"I've even taken Spanish classes to learn," the central Phoenix student said. "It kind of seems like I'm not taking a part of my past, my ancestry with me because my parents didn't teach it to me."
Embracing English
9/17/06 | San Diego Union-Tribune
Latino immigrants are indeed assimilating
You have no doubt heard about how Latinos, now the nation's largest minority, refuse to assimilate over the generations. Supposedly, they won't learn English, and they insist on clinging to their native language – Spanish. The reason we're sure you've heard this line is because it's a favorite of nativists and immigration restrictionists, and they love to repeat it.