My online chat with the Arizona Tourism Agent......

[KansasVoter]

I went to their web site (http://www.arizonaguide.com/arizona-travel-info/faqs) and found an online chat option. It was even working Sunday afternoon.

Here is my chat log!

Thanks for contacting us. An operator will be with you shortly...

Alicia: Hi, I'm Alicia. How may I help you?
Visitor: I want to visit Arizona this summer but am worried because I am a american born Hispanic and need to know what items I need to bring to verify I am a citizen
Alicia: Okay. One moment please.
Visitor: Are you an Arizona citizen? Do you work for Arizona?
Visitor: Do I have the right person?
Alicia: Yes I am, to both.
Alicia: Yes you do. Give me one moment, I will give you a link and email address to the correct representative who can answer ANY questions you have regarding what to bring/expect.
Visitor: No problem
Alicia: For more information on this subject you can contact Kiva Couchon (pronounced "coo shawn") her contact information is [e-mail] or 602-364-3724.

Visitor: Why can't you help me?
Alicia: I can help you that's no problem. I just want to give the correct information and at this time the representative above is the best source of information.
Visitor: So you cannot answer my question? Only Kiva can?
Alicia: That's correct. She would have your best answers.
Visitor: You understand I don't want to get arrested?
Alicia: I do apologize. We don't deal so much with AZ laws, strictly tourism. I understand completely.
Visitor: Thanks for your time. I appreciate it! Bye!
Alicia: Your welcome. Thank you!

It is obvious she was told not to address these issues and to forward them on to the Kiva Couchon person.

I plan on emailing her a polite question about proving I am a citizen and seeing what her answer is.

Maybe some of you want to write Kiva also!

[katandmoon]

1. Good job. Please post the response you get from Kiva Couchon (if you get one).

[tblue37]

10. Arizona R's are cochons, nt

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. Good job!

Let them feel the heat...

:fistbump:

[MindandSoul]

3. Great! I think we should all contact Kiva. . . . give her an oveload!

[struggle4progress]

4. We should all contact Alicia, too. And the state police. And the governor. And

local newspapers. And the Chamber of Commerce. Share the joy!

[NanceGreggs]

5. Well done!

:applause:

[FreedomRain]

6. Bring the long form birth certificate :D

Thanks for being so polite to her!

[rudyb]

7. I contacted their travel agency right after the bill passed

Here is what I received back.
RE: Concerns

Inbox X

Reply
|
Kiva Couchon
to me

show details Apr 21 (5 days ago)


Dear Mr. XXXXXXXX,



Thank you for taking the time to send us this e-mail and letting us know your opinion on this matter. Since the Arizona Office of Tourism is a marketing agency and not a regulatory agency, we are not empowered to address these issues.
We certainly respect your concerns surrounding this situation; however we are hopeful that you will rethink your travel plans and act on your desire to visit our amazing state. Arizona is one of the most welcoming, vibrant and diverse states in the nation with exciting outdoor adventures, fun family activities, rejuvenating resorts and spas, exquisite local cuisines, a variety of shopping opportunities, and for history buffs – a captivating heritage.
Please visit, www.ArizonaGuide.com, to discover even more travel opportunities within the Grand Canyon State.
Sincerely,
Kiva Couchon
Communications Manager

Arizona Office of Tourism
Kiva Couchon
Communications Manager
(P) [phone] begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              [phone]      end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              [phone]      end_of_the_skype_highlighting | (F) [phone]
This is what they sent me. Poor Kiva she must be really loving her governor now!


1110 W. Washington Street, Suite 155
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Email: [e-mail]
AZ logo
Arizona on Facebook Arizona on Twitter Arizona on Flickr


From: Rudy XXXXXX
Sent: Tuesday, April 20, 2010 11:38 AM
To: Sherry Henry
Subject: Concerns



Hi I'm really concerned regarding your state's treatment of people of color. Because of this I am canceling all of my and my families plans to have a reunion in your state.
btw I am making it my task to warn everybody that I know of your state's draconian immigration law.

--
Rudy

[tblue37]

11. So the person the OP was directed to ask writes that SHE can't address your

question either. They are deliberately giving people the runaround.

[southernyankeebelle]

8. I did one better and sent an e-mail to AZ Governor and told her I would

boycotting the state and I have encouraged my friends to do the same.

[slackmaster]

9. KansasVoter - Are you really contemplating visiting Arizona this summer?

TIA for your honest answer.

[KansasVoter]

13. Not now!

[johnaries]

12. Kiva Couchon? That doesn't sound like an AMERICAN name!

I think we need to check her papers.

:evilgrin:

[SwampG8r]

14. sounds like a strippers name

put your hands together for Kiva and her amazing Couchon

[Hekate]

15. I think the key is to be very polite to them all and really show our deeeeep concern.

Concern :evilgrin: Yup. Very concerned. I understand that Visitors' Bureaus don't make law and are not used to having to explain it either, but if they are flooded with questions from concerned people who planning to drive through or stay in Amazing Arizona, then it stands to reason they will be letting the legislature know about it.

Hispanics/Latinos have been on this continent for a very long time, starting with Columbus' voyage in 1492 on behalf of the Spanish kingdom. Spanish colonization was different from that of the English: they actively promoted the marriage of their soldiers to native women, hoping to create a loyal population, not a rebellious one. You can't just randomly select brown people in Arizona -- or California, where I live -- and assume they just arrived. Chances are their family settled there long before your own ancestors arrived on the continent.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_colonization_of_the_Americas
>> Beginning with the 1492 arrival of Christopher Columbus, over nearly four centuries the Spanish Empire would expand across: most of present day Central America, the Caribbean islands, and Mexico; much of the rest of North America including the Southwestern, Southern coastal, and California Pacific Coast regions of the United States; and though inactive, with claimed territory in present day British Columbia Canada; and U.S. states of Alaska, Washington, and Oregon; and the western half of South America. <<

I would definitely encourage mass expressions of deep concern to various authorities and agencies in Arizona. Next time my plane has to stop over in Phoenix, should I expect La Migra to pay a visit asking all passengers for their papers? Will my driver's license be enough or should I be carrying my birth certificate? Is a copy good enough or will it need to be the original? Will it be ALL passengers, or will I be exempt because I'm white? Will the authorities be asking "Your papers please" in multiple languages, or only "Acta de nacimiento, por favor."

Hekate

[boppers]

16. Tweet:

@arizonatourism

[ehrnst]

17. Could it be THIS Kiva Couchon?

http://www.spoke.com/info/p8cufai/KivaCouchon

[paparush]

18. An Employee in Arizona Inmate Health Svc. Nice.

[Soylent Brice]

19. K&R

[zulchzulu]

20. Ask if you could offer a bumpersticker for the Tourism Dept. to sell at their facilities

This one comes to mind....

[Chicken Underwear]

21. I got a response from Kiva

I got a response from Kiva

http://whatyourdonotknowbecauseyouarenotme.blogspot.com/2010/04/show-me-your-papers.html