On May 2, I asked the NAISA leadership to hold a vote of the entire membership on redirecting the conference to protest and inviting Representative Grijalva (or his designee) to address the plenary.

It is now clear that no such vote will be held. Because of the actions of the Arizona legislature and because of this failure to permit the entire NAISA membership to decide the issue, after much thought and prayerful consideration, I reluctantly have decided that I must withdraw from this year’s meeting. This is not a decision I make lightly. I simply cannot in good conscience go to Arizona and participate. I cannot be someone who protests only when it costs me nothing or when it enhances my self-image by getting my name and picture in the paper.
While this decision is personal, I want to stress that it is based solely on principle, and there is nothing personal in it. I would urge those of like mind to do so, too. And I would ask the NAISA council that there be no penalty or retaliation, collective or individual, against those who decide to do so, financial, personal, or professional, especially junior scholars who are most vulnerable.
For those who do decide to attend, I would urge you to give your time on one of those 130 panel opportunities for protest over to a local activist or to a representative of Rep. Grijalva’s office. Alternatively, you might simply stand up, read the title of your presentation, state that you are not delivering it in protest, and sit down. Please also eat only in venues owned by people of color, as I suggested earlier. This would exclude the conference hotel.
I look forward to seeing you all down the road. Jace