In close proximity to Dodger Stadium, a sizeable assembly of vocal demonstrators, numbering over 100, gathered a couple of hours prior to Saturday’s anticipated inaugural pitch. The gathering was less than approving of the organization, despite the Dodgers’ substantial $1M pledge to aid immigrant families which appears to have failed in procuring the sought after complete absolution.
A significant proportion of the protestors focused their anger towards ICE through their placards and slogans, while others openly expressed their disappointment with the Dodgers. Their silent response for over two weeks following the commencement of public demonstrations, ignited by immigration operations and widespread deportations since June 6 in central Los Angeles, has not gone unnoticed.
The passionate crowd at the protest was an interesting blend of people – many of them wore Dodgers branded merchandise, suggesting they were long-time supporters who were feeling let down by their favorite team’s apparent disengagement from the issue that they cared deeply about.
According to a number of demonstrators present at the gathering Saturday, the team’s response to the issue was deemed unsuitable, both from an economic lens as well as from an ideological viewpoint. They perceived the Dodgers’ stance on the deportation activities as less forceful than expected.
Throughout the course of the event, the crowd gradually expanded in size. As the mid-afternoon progressed, several hundred individuals lined Sunset Boulevard, an iconic location almost every vehicle must pass through when entering the main gate of Dodger Stadium. Despite the intensity of emotion, the demonstration was conducted in a peaceful manner.
Communication from the Dodgers on this matter was conspicuously late, with the first signs of acknowledgment emerging only on the preceding Thursday. This tardiness in response, particularly given the solitary messages of support received from private individuals, raised questions among the protestors.
A public announcement was eventually made by the Dodgers around 3:30pm PT on Friday, stating their pledge of a financial donation. While it’s seen as a positive beginning by some, others argue it falls short of a comprehensive response to the issue at hand. The delayed response has left a question looming for many – why the wait?
Opinions abound regarding the role sports teams should play in socio-political matters. Some suggest they are mainly capitalist entities without an obligation to champion societal issues. Their primary purpose, as these individuals see it, is to deliver entertainment to their followers.
Yet, the Dodgers, throughout their history, have embodied more than this. They’ve presented themselves as an organization that represents high societal ideals and thus, spectators expect them to adhere to these standards.
Their groundbreaking actions of breaking the color line in baseball, courtesy of legendary player Jackie Robinson, outline their legacy. International player recruitment initiatives involving Valenzuela, Hideo Nomo, and Chan Ho Park demonstrate their commitment to growing the globally appealing sport of baseball.
Moreover, their significant contributions to the game have been evidenced through their establishment of baseball training institutions across Latin American countries, and in fostering an unparalleled Latino fan base among U.S. professional sports.
Although the Dodgers’ $1M financial commitment is recognized as a commendable initiative, it should not be seen as the finish line. It has to be seen as a beginning towards enhanced engagement with the issue at stake.
With the escalating discontent that’s currently resonating in Los Angeles expected to soon reverberate in cities like Chicago and New York, home to substantial immigrant populations and iconic baseball teams, the pressure is mounting on these organizations to respond adequately.
To that end, it is expected from the Dodgers to once again rise up to these societal challenges, leveraging the moral resolve exhibited in their past. A precedent-setting initiative on their end would serve as a model for other teams to reference and emulate.
Nonetheless, it’s crucial for the Dodgers and other teams to fully appreciate the broad range of perspectives held by their diverse fan base. By acknowledging and addressing these varied views, they will further cement their rapport with their followers.
Hence, it is anticipated that the Dodgers will continue to uphold the traditions of benevolence and advocacy that they have exhibited throughout their history. The decisions they make now will resonate not just within their immediate fan base, but also throughout the larger community of baseball enthusiasts across the country.
The post Dodgers Criticized for Response to Deportation Activities appeared first on Real News Now.
About Author
