On a recent Saturday afternoon, a crowd of demonstrators gathered at the gates of Dodger Stadium, raising their voices against the team. The attendees, a large number of whom were garbed in Dodgers attire, expressed their dissatisfaction with the team’s perceived apathy towards Hispanic and immigrant communities. This sentiment was held against the backdrop of ongoing immigration crackdowns throughout the city of Los Angeles by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Some individuals among the crowd also criticized the current political administration, specifically their handling of ICE raids.
There were also those within the throng of lifetime fans who commiserated on their displeasure over the perceived abandonment by their beloved team. A rather dire event led to the protest – just two days prior, agents from Customs and Border Protection endeavored to gain entry into the team parking lots. They were, however, turned away by team officials. The Dodgers, in an announcement delivered on Friday, stated their commitment of $1 million to offer assistance to families affected by the intensified immigration crackdowns and raids in the city.
Protesters clutched signs, bearing slogans like ‘No ICE in LA.’ This curb-to-curb demonstration paralleled other protests incited by the recent immigration crackdowns across Los Angeles and elsewhere in the United States. The LA demonstration was timed to start at 2 p.m., providing a solid five-hour buffer before the Dodgers were set to face off against the Washington Nationals.
A backdrop of vehicle horns blared support throughout the afternoon which, incidentally, was marked by sweltering heat. The Dodgers’ administration, however, did not issue any comments on the protest or the concerns that propelled its formation. During the Friday announcement concerning the financial commitment towards affected families, Stan Kasten – the team president – stated, ‘We are listening and understand the need to act as leaders for the affected. We are confident that our action and resource dedication will further bolster and support the communities of Greater Los Angeles.’
Still, critical voices were heard amongst the protesters at the stadium on Saturday. Many felt that the team’s response was insufficient, both in financial terms and in their muted stance regarding the ICE raids. The gathering steadily grew in number as the afternoon progressed, with the crowd numbering in the hundreds that lined Sunset Boulevard, en masse, at the intersection of Vin Scully Avenue.
Virtually every car seeking entry through the main entrance to Dodger Stadium had to weave through the sea of protesters. The police presence was noticeably minimal, barring the motley motorcade accompanying the arrival of the visiting team’s buses. An uptick in security measures was, however, detected at the entry points to the stadium. Despite the magnitude, the protest remained devoid of conflict and was carried out peacefully.
The Dodgers had initially stated that ‘we’re not going to comment’ when questioned about the current ICE raids. They later modified this stance by announcing their $1 million commitment. Despite this gesture, many fans indicated that it fell short of expectations.
The dissension from within the Dodgers organization came from Kiké Hernandez, a utilityman for the team. In an Instagram post, Kiké passionately expressed his feelings – stating, ‘Though I was not born and raised here, this city has embraced me as its own. I am deeply perturbed and outraged by the events unfolding in our city and country. The city of Los Angeles and fans of the Dodgers have opened their hearts to me, providing unparalleled support and affection.’
In his message, Hernandez continued by deploring the violation, profiling, and division happening to the community, ‘My heart can no longer bear seeing such disregard and abuse of our community. We all deserve respect, dignity, and our inherent human rights.’ Protesters found solace in Hernandez’s words, but yearned for a more substantial response from the larger organization behind the Dodgers.
This sentiment was paralleled among several community leaders, with over 50 individuals signing a petition addressed to the Dodgers, imploring for further action. Part of their entreaty was a demand for the Dodgers to explicitly call for a halt to the ICE raids. Whilst this request was left unattended, the organizers behind the petition acknowledged the financial commitment from the Dodgers as a positive move.
One such community figurehead expressed, ‘With this significant move, the Dodgers have showcased moral courage and civic leadership. By devoting tangible resources towards the welfare of immigrant families, they have proven that the power of love and caring can be a salve to the wounds of prejudice. We sincerely hope this is only the beginning of their actions; it’s our belief that respect requires more than silence, and our convictions implore us to take action.’
Nonetheless, the efforts of the Dodgers were seen as insincere by a number of fans. One of them, a first-generation immigrant and lifetime fan of the Dodgers, expressed his disappointment, ‘I have surpassed many milestones as a Dodgers fan. However, this is a crucial moment when we need their support more than ever. It’s high time for them to rise to the occasion and stand with us.’