New Arizona Governor Halts King Holiday

Arizona Gov. Evan Mecham fulfilled a campaign pledge Monday and rescinded the executive order of his predecessor creating a state holiday honoring the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Mecham, a Republican, said the order issued by former Democratic Gov. Bruce Babbitt was illegal. In addition, he said no other American, including King, rated having a holiday alongside George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

However, Mecham urged the Legislature to let Arizona voters decide whether King’s birthday should be a paid state holiday.

“I suggest a referendum as the most democratic method of solving this issue,” Mecham said in his first State of the State address, delivered to the opening session of the Legislature.

Opportunity to Be Heard

“There are many people interested in the issue of making Dr. King’s birthday a paid state holiday and they should all have an opportunity to be heard,” he said.

Babbitt, a former attorney general, issued the order last June after the Legislature failed, by one vote, to enact a holiday in honor of the slain civil rights leader. Republican Atty. Gen. Bob Corbin, however, said the order was illegal.

Black leaders and civil rights supporters have accused Mecham of being a racist because of his stand.

Christopher Johns, legal adviser for Arizonans for a Martin Luther King Jr. State Holiday, said the coalition is “disappointed but not surprised” by Mecham’s action.

It was a “sad day” for Arizona, Johns added.