Journalists Convention to Boycott State : Immigration: Latino organization votes not to hold national meetings in California unless Proposition 187 is invalidated in court or repealed.

Charging that Proposition 187 is “anti-Latino,” the National Assn. of Hispanic Journalists has voted to keep the organization’s national convention out of California unless the illegal immigration initiative is repealed by state voters or voided by court decisions.

The announcement appears to be the first concrete step taken by a national organization to boycott California as a result of last week’s overwhelming passage of the sweeping ballot measure, which is designed to terminate non-emergency government-funded services for illegal immigrants and require educational, health and law enforcement officials to report suspects to state and federal authorities.

In Colorado and Texas, Latino activists have announced that they are considering boycotts of California. Texas state Rep. Roberto Alonzo, state president of Mexican American Democrats, said he will ask Latino political leaders this week to boycott films, fruit and all other merchandise produced in California.

The 1,700-member Hispanic journalists organization had been considering San Diego as one of three possible sites for its 1998 national convention. But in a 15-0 vote, the group decided not to invite San Diego officials to make a final presentation at their March meeting at which the convention site will be selected.

“We certainly hope other Hispanic groups would join us in sending a very strong message to the voters of California that this kind of discrimination can’t be tolerated,” said Zita Arocha, executive director of the organization.

Salvatore Giametta, vice president of the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau, expressed concern at the organization’s decision. “We certainly do understand there may be some negative fallout” from Proposition 187, he said. “No one can afford to turn away any business, and we’re certainly disappointed if they aren’t going to be considering San Diego.”