Arizona’s MLK Holiday & Immigration Controversies

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Boycotts, marches through Phoenix, and negative national publicity. Reaction to Arizona’s new immigration law is very similar to the backlash Arizona experienced years ago over a holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Junior. We compare the controversies with Pastor Warren Stewart, a leader of Arizona’s effort to get a King holiday; Chris Herstam, a Republican state legislator who served during the King Day controversy, and Bill Shover who chaired Arizona’s Super Bowl host committees at a time when the NFL was threatening to take the Super Bowl away from Arizona unless it passed a MLK holiday.

Pastor Warren Stewart:Former leader of Arizona's effort to get the MLK holiday;Chris Herstam:Former Republican State Legislator during the MLK holiday controversy;Bill Shover:Former chairman, Arizona Super Bowl host committee;

Mark Tarbell and Kristen Keogh with text reading: Go See AZ
airs Feb. 5

‘Check Please, Arizona!’ and ‘Trail Mix’d’ return Feb. 5

The Gila River
aired Jan. 9

The Gila River: Lifeline, Legacy and the Fight for Native Rights in Arizona

Graphic for PBS Books Readers Club - January

Join us for PBS Books Readers Club!

Fountain Hills with text reading: Food Festival Saturday, April 11, 2026, Fountain Hills, Arizona
April 11

Join us for the We-Ko-Pa ‘Check, Please! Arizona’ Food Festival

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