L.A. Dodgers, facing fan pressure, pledge $1M after immigration raids
Facing growing pressure to speak out against federal immigration raids in the area, the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday unveiled a $1 million commitment toward assisting families affected by the enforcement action.
'What's happening in Los Angeles has reverberated among thousands upon thousands of people, and we have heard the calls for us to take a leading role on behalf of those affected,' Dodgers President and CEO Stan Kasten said in a statement announcing the pledge. 'We believe that by committing resources and taking action, we will continue to support and uplift the communities of Greater Los Angeles.'
The pledge comes one day after protesters arrived at Dodger Stadium to challenge federal agents who had staged in unmarked SUVs outside the facility. The team said it blocked federal authorities from accessing the stadium's parking lots. The Department of Homeland Security said the incident 'had nothing to do with the Dodgers' and the vehicles 'were in the stadium parking lot very briefly, unrelated to any operation or enforcement.'
The incident proved to be a flash point for immigrant community leaders and advocacy groups who've been urging the Dodgers and team owner Mark Walter to publicly denounce recent raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the greater Los Angeles area. Federal agents carrying out workplace sweeps have in recent weeks targeted car washes, Home Depot and a clothing wholesaler, sparking protests. But as demonstrators poured into the streets protesting President Donald Trump's immigration policy and local officials clashed with the federal government, the L.A. Dodgers, which enjoys broad support from the city's Latino community, remained silent.
A petition started by local unions and civic leaders on Friday called on the Dodgers to support community organizations defending immigrant families and ensure team property isn't used for immigration enforcement.
'As ICE raids escalate across the city, parents are being torn from their children. Communities are living in fear. Latino families — who make up 40% of the Dodgers' fan base and contribute $300 million in annual revenue — deserve more than silence,' the petition reads. 'Other teams — Angel City FC and LAFC — have already spoken out. The Dodgers must do the same.'
Last week, singer and social media influencer Nezza sang a version of the national anthem in Spanish before a Dodgers home game while wearing a Dominican Republic shirt — against the team's wishes. Nezza said she sang 'El Pendón Estrellado' — a Spanish rendition of the 'Star Spangled Banner' — in protest of the raids.
'I didn't think I would be met with any sort of 'no,' especially because we're in L.A. and with everything happening,' Nezza said in a video posted to her TikTok account, breaking down in tears. 'But today out of all days, I just could not believe when [the Dodgers employee] walked in and told me 'no.' But I just felt like I needed to do it para mi gente [for my people].'
Until Friday, the team had generally been quiet about the unrest in the city, while others had spoken out.
Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts told reporters earlier this month he hoped the team could be 'a positive distraction' for people. Last week, he said, 'I know that when you're having to bring people in and deport people, all the unrest, it's certainly unsettling for everyone, but I haven't dug enough and can't speak intelligently on it.'
Dodgers player Kiké Hernández wrote on Instagram that he is 'saddened and infuriated by what's happening in our country and our city.'
'This is my second home. And I cannot stand to see our community being violated, profiled, abused and ripped apart. ALL people deserve to be treated with respect, dignity and human rights,' wrote Hernandez, who is from Puerto Rico. He punctuated his post with #CityOfImmigrants.
Friday's $1 million commitment is the team's first public response to the ICE raids.
'It's always a great moment when Los Angeles comes together to defend, support, and assist its most valuable asset — its residents, regardless of immigration status,' Jorge-Mario Cabrera, a spokesman for the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, wrote in an email statement responding to the Dodgers aid pledge. 'We applaud initiatives that focus on the mos[t] immediate needs of the hundreds if not thousands of families impacted which includes legal counsel, information and referrals, mental health, health emergencies, rent, and other basic needs.'
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