Man fights SB 1070 during All-Star festivities

PHOENIX - A Valley man wanted his presence known Sunday afternoon in downtown Phoenix as he protested Senate Bill 1070 near the All-Star Game festivities.

Activist Margarito Blanco stood outside Chase Field in hopes of handing out dozens of ribbons and information to get baseball fans to know more about the state’s immigration battle and his campaign against SB 1070.

“Those [are] the people we’re trying to reach, out of town people, people who are not aware of the situation in Arizona so that they become aware,” Blanco said.

Blanco protested SB 1070 in a high-traffic area Sunday afternoon as thousands of baseball fans headed to Chase Field, but that doesn’t mean everyone listened.

“I don’t think it’s a really good thing right now. It’s all about baseball,” said one fan walking to Chase Field.

“Baseball and politics don’t go,” said another.

But Blanco said it’s all worth the effort if he could just reach one person or even an influential baseball player on the field.

"I'm here to let baseball fans know that we are still fighting SB 1070," Blanco said.

He said he will be back out to the ballpark Monday and Tuesday to protest during the All-Star Game.