The Los Angeles Dodgers are poised to unveil their strategy to support immigrant communities affected by the recent ICE raids in Los Angeles, as reported by Dodgers Nation. The announcement comes after a period of marked silence from the team amid heightened immigration enforcement and ensuing social unrest in the city.
Amid fierce criticism on social media and a poignant protest during a national anthem performance by singer Nezza, fans and community leaders have been vocal about their expectations from the Dodgers. At a news conference, Raul Claros of California Rising lamented, "The largest economic engine in this area is silent! Wake up! Do better! We know you can!" as reported by ABC7.
Kiké Hernández, a Dodgers infielder, was one of the first from the team to publicly address the issue. "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," Hernández stated on his Instagram account, a sentiment captured by NBC Los Angeles.
The move to aid immigrant communities suggests a recognition from the Dodgers of their role as a symbol within the culturally rich tapestry of Los Angeles. The team's silence up until now has been conspicuous, particularly in a city where Latino communities have a robust presence. The forthcoming announcement not only answers the call from community leaders and fans alike but also plays into the narrative of the Dodgers' position as more than just a sports franchise in Los Angeles—a narrative underlined by former Dodger Adrian Gonzalez who called the ICE raids "unconstitutional" and "immoral" in a statement on his Instagram, highlighted by NBC Los Angeles.
The timing of this announcement is also notable given the recent news that Dodgers owner Mark Walter is in the process of acquiring the Los Angeles Lakers from the Buss family.
_(cropped).jpg){kind=link}