The Los Angeles Dodgers have a long history of being leaders in the community, but they have failed in that area this past week.
The team that broke MLB’s color barrier with the signing of Jackie Robinson, and a franchise that has benefited greatly from immigrants playing for their team, has remained silent as immigrants in their own community are under attack.
As part of President Donald Trump’s orders, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been raiding Los Angeles communities since June 6, targeting not just undocumented immigrants, but also citizens of the United States through racial profiling.
ICE agents are almost always covering their faces and hiding their identities, which creates even more of a safety concern for all people living in the city, as it also makes it easier for others to impersonate ICE agents.
The ICE raids and the actions of President Trump have led to mass protests across the city. In turn, that prompted President Trump to send both the National Guard and U.S. Marines to control the civil unrest and protests, using military force against those who disagree with him.
California governor Gavin Newsom and L.A. mayor Karen Bass have also deployed the L.A. Police Department to control protesters and issued a curfew in downtown. This has all happened within minutes of Dodger Stadium, yet the Dodgers still remain silent.
“No, I don’t,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said when asked for his thoughts on the protests across the city. “Honestly, I don’t know enough, to be quite honest with you. I know that you’re having to bring people in and deport people. And just kind of all the unrest is certainly unsettling for everyone.
“But I haven’t done enough and can’t speak intelligently on it.”
It is one thing for the Dodgers to remain silent on all social issues and take no stance on current events – an approach many organizations adopt.
But this is also an organization that released a statement on Israel just two years ago. The Dodgers can stand with Israeli citizens more than 7,000 miles away, but they can’t stand with the citizens living in their own backyard who support the team?
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 9, 2023
The Guggenheim ownership group has a strong commitment to winning, and fans should applaud them for that because not many ownership groups do. But they have also lost the soul of what this team is and what it has stood for, and fans should be critical of that.
The Dodgers have become just another company, and it’s hard to argue they truly represent Los Angeles anymore and its values anymore.
It’s also not even the first time this year the Dodgers took the cowardly approach as they refused to comment on the Trump Administration’s attacks on Robinson’s legacy.
Another one of the greatest players in Dodgers franchise history, Fernando Valenzuela, is a Mexican immigrant from Navojoa. He connected the team with the city in ways that very few could ever achieve, or have accomplished, and created generations of Latino Dodgers fans.
The Dodgers wear his number on the sleeves of their jerseys to honor his legacy. They have a bobblehead night coming up in Valenzuela’s honor. His No. 34 hangs with the rest of their retired numbers.
But they still cannot comment on Latinos being harassed, attacked and kidnapped in their own community.
It is hypocritical and a travesty. The Dodgers are always ready to take money from their Latino fans, but when the time comes to stand with them and speak up, they are absent.
One might argue that people should come here legally and ICE is only catching criminals, so the Dodgers are right to stay out of it. But that is not correct.
Legal and documented citizens are being racially profiled, harassed and arrested – something that has been well documented. Protesters and those exercising their First Amendment rights have also been shot with “less than lethal” ammunition and beaten by police.
Many of these protesters are peaceful, as are the dozens of journalists who have been shot at for doing their jobs. Sure, some in the crowds have destroyed property, but that group is small compared to the vast majority, and their actions pale in comparison to the physical harm being done to people and the families being torn apart.
There’s also the fact that being an undocumented immigrant in the United States is nothing more than a civil offense, similar to a parking ticket. The law states it is enforceable by a fine, and deportation is intended only for extreme cases.
Deportation is a severe measure typically used for immigrants who commit criminal acts, pose a threat to public safety, or violate their visas. But under the Trump administration, it’s being used against people who are simply living their lives.
Being in the United States while undocumented is not a felony, nor even a misdemeanor, and the punishment for it is not deportation. The Dodgers could take a stance to point that out. And they’d be right to do so while standing with their city.
The vast majority of people in this country, and even more so in Los Angeles, are here because someone in their family immigrated from a different country. Many came at a time when all they had to do was sign their name at Ellis Island – an option no longer available under today’s broken immigration system.
L.A. is a city of immigrants, and some professional teams understand that. Both Angel City Football Club and Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) released statements standing with the community.
“We are heartbroken by the fear many in our Los Angeles Community are feeling right now,” Angel City FC said in their statement, which also shared resources and links for the community. “At Angel City, we believe in the power of belonging. We know that our city is stronger because of its diversity and the people and families who shape it, love it and call it home.”
Angel City FC also continued to support the community with shirts declaring themselves “Immigrant City Football Club,” with text on the back stating “Los Angeles is for everyone” in both English and Spanish.
LAFC wrote in their statement that they believe “the true strength of our community comes from the people and cultures that make up the tapestry of this beautiful and diverse city. Today, when so many in our city are feeling fear and uncertainty, LAFC stands shoulder to shoulder with all members of the community.”
But the Dodgers? They have a commitment to staying quiet.
Dodgers executive vice president and chief marketing officer Lon Rosen told Dylan Hernández of the L.A. Times that the organization would not be commenting while many of their fans and city are in distress.
Some players have started to speak out, beginning with Kiké Hernández, who shared a message on Instagram with a photo of himself standing in front of a “Born & Raised” sign with Los Angeles in the background.
“I may not be Born & Raised, but this city adopted me as one of their own,” Hernández wrote. “I am saddened and infuriated by what’s happening in our country and our city. Los Angeles and Dodger fans have welcomed me, supported me and shown me nothing but kindness and love.
“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. #CityOfImmigrants.”
Later, former Dodgers star and SportsNet LA analyst Adrian González also shared a message on Instagram, highlighting his Mexican heritage and hope that the protests will lead to change in the U.S.
“What is happening is not just wrong, it is unconstitutional, it is illegal,” he wrote as part of a longer statement. “Separating families without cause, profiling individuals due to the color of their skin is not right. It needs to stop.”
But the Dodgers will continue to stay silent, taking a disappointing approach. They will not stand with their community, but they will gladly continue to take your money.
Giants taking precautions while playing Dodgers
Manager Bob Melvin said the Giants have taken more precautions this weekend as players aren’t going out as much compared to previous visits to Dodger Stadium.
“It doesn’t come from me. It comes from the people that are in charge here, Rob and our security team. So it’s kind of stay in your bubble there, come to the ballpark and do your thing,” Melvin said.
“Unfortunately, it’s going on here, and I think everybody’s got heavy hearts for what’s going on. But for us, it’s about our job here, and it’s more kind of hotel, ballpark than maybe in the past.”
For fans who take the Dodger Stadium Express from Union Station, the service is continuing to run despite the curfew in effect for the area.
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