LOS ANGELES — Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the entrance to Dodger Stadium on Saturday afternoon to criticize the team for what they say is a lack of support for Hispanic and immigrant communities amid ongoing raids in Los Angeles by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Many of those in attendance wore Dodgers gear, self-proclaimed lifelong fans disappointed in their favorite team. Others condemned the ICE raids and the Trump administration as a whole. The protest came two days after Customs and Border Protection agents attempted to access the team’s parking lots, but were rebuffed by team officials. On Friday, the Dodgers announced that they were committing $1 million toward assistance for families impacted by President Trump’s recent crackdown on immigration and militarized raids in the city.
It was a lively and emotional atmosphere outside the entrance to the ballpark, with people holding signs reading “No ICE in LA.” Earlier this month, immigration raids kicked off a wave of protests elsewhere in Los Angeles and across the country.
“I love the Dodgers, but I love my people more,” said Monica Alcaraz, wearing a Dodgers shirt with the logo scribbled out. She became overwhelmed with emotion as she spoke.
“They need to stand for us. They need to support the community. I have many, many friends that have season tickets, and they struggle with this. They make so much money off of us. They just bought the freakin Lakers,” Alcaraz continued, referring to Dodgers’ owner Mark Walter’s recent deal to purchase the Los Angeles Lakers.
At Saturday’s protest, Monica Alcaraz said she wants to see more from the Dodgers organization. (Photo: Sam Blum / The Athletic)
The protest began at 2 p.m., five hours before the Dodgers’ game against the Washington Nationals on Saturday evening. Cars honking in support were a perpetual backdrop to the protest as the hot afternoon waned.
The Dodgers did not respond to a request for comment on the protests or the concerns raised by the protesters.
When announcing the team’s financial assistance for families on Friday, team president Stan Kasten said: “We have heard the calls for us to take a leading role on behalf of those affected. We believe that by committing resources and taking action, we will continue to support and uplift the communities of Greater Los Angeles.”
On Saturday, many protesters said that the response remains inadequate, both financially and in terms of what they view as a less-than-forceful stance by the organization in addressing the raids.
David Gould, a Dodgers fan since 1972, showed two tattoos when asked what brought him to protest. One was a Dodgers logo on his forearm, with the word “Dad” replacing the “LA” letters. The other was the seal of the City of Los Angeles, covering the back of his right hand.
“This city is built by immigrants. I’ve got to come out here as an LA guy, as a Dodger fan, and especially as a caucasian guy, and put my feet where my field is,” Gould said.
“This is a baseball team that broke the color barrier. As a lifelong Dodger fan, I need the Dodgers organization to hold up and love the very community that has made them what they are.”
David Gould, a lifelong Dodgers fan, at Saturday’s protest. (Photo: Sam Blum / The Athletic)
The crowd grew throughout the mid-afternoon, with several hundred protesters lining Sunset Boulevard at the corner of Vin Scully Avenue. It’s the corner that almost every car entering the main entrance to Dodger Stadium must pass. Police presence was limited, save for a motorcade when the visiting team’s buses arrived.
There was, however, an increased police presence at the entry points to the stadium. The protest remained peaceful.
“I’m protesting the Dodgers,” said Hector Martinez, who was holding a sign that said “Loyalty and respect goes both ways.” He added: “I’m disappointed as a lifelong Dodgers fan. I feel like I’m not going to support them until I see better effort from them. It seems that they’re reacting and not really caring about our community.
“It’s devastating for me.”
The Dodgers initially told The Los Angeles Times on June 13 that “we’re not going to comment” regarding the ongoing ICE raids in Los Angeles before later announcing the $1 million in assistance.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts called the events “unsettling.” He later said he didn’t have enough information to comment more fully. After the team announced its financial support on Friday, Roberts said, “I think it’s great. I’m sure the money is going to be allocated in the right way. I’m happy to hear the Dodgers have done that. It’s certainly the right thing to do.”
Police officers outside the protest at Dodger Stadium on Saturday. (Photo: Etienne Laurent / AFP via Getty Images)
Many Dodgers fans have said it’s not enough. The only member of the Dodgers organization to speak out against the raids unequivocally was utilityman Kiké Hernandez.
“I may not be Born & Raised, but this city has adopted me as one of their own,” Hernández wrote in an Instagram post. “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”
It’s a message that protesters said they appreciated, but wanted to see more from the Dodgers organization writ large.
“Dodgers are part of the fabric and culture of Latino culture. This isn’t a bunch of activists,” said Felipe Caceres, looking out at the assembled crowd. “These are a bunch of Dodgers fans.
“Which side are you on, Dodgers? Which side are you on?”
Caceres’ criticism was directed specifically at Dodgers management.
Many community leaders have agreed, with more than 50 signing a petition sent to Walter on Friday, urging the team to do more. One of their requests was for the Dodgers to issue a statement demanding that the ICE raids stop. The petition pointed to recent statements by Los Angeles FC and Angel City FC.
While that statement hasn’t come, the group behind the petition indicated that the Dodgers’ financial commitment was a positive step.
“The Dodgers have taken a meaningful step toward addressing the fear in our communities,” said Reverend Zach Hoover, executive director of LA Voice, one of the groups involved in the petition. “By committing real resources to immigrant families, they’re showing that moral courage and civic leadership still matter in Los Angeles, and that we can heal the wounds of hate with the power of love. We pray this is just the beginning — because dignity demands more than silence, and faith calls us to act.”
For many fans, though, the team’s actions continue to feel hollow.
“I’m a first-generation immigrant. I’ve been a Dodgers fan my whole life,” said Michelle Molina. “I feel like if there was ever a day, or ever an era that we needed them, it’s now. Now, we need them to step up.”
(Photo: Mario Tama / Getty Images)