LOS ANGELES — More than 100 protesters gathered two blocks from Dodger Stadium about three hours before Saturday’s scheduled first pitch. They had a clear message.
The Dodgers’ commitment of $1 million in ‘direct financial assistance for families of immigrants impacted by recent events’ has not earned them full-fledged forgiveness.
Though a majority of the protesters’ signs and chants targeted ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), others conveyed their displeasure with the Dodgers.
Two protesters held handmade signs that read, “The Dodgers want you to shut up for $1 million.”
Standing nearby, Alex Gansen of Hollywood told USA TODAY Sports, “I feel like the Dodgers are doing a lot of PR cleanup.”
The Dodgers remained publicly silent for more than two weeks after protests sparked by immigration raids and mass deportation started June 6 in downtown Los Angeles.
The Dodgers broke their silence on Thursday, when they said they had denied ICE entry and access to the stadium parking lots. The following day, they announced they would commit $1 million for assistance to immigrant families ‘impacted by recent events.”
Protesters gathered outside the main entrance to Dodger Stadium Thursday, and blocked traffic. That resulted in some tense moments with more than two-dozen police officers deployed to the scene.
But the protest Saturday at the intersection of Vin Scully Avenue and Sunset Boulevard was boisterous but peaceful.
Motorists honked, salsa music played and chants competed for attention amid the cacophony. (“ICE out of L.A., do better Dodgers!” was one of the big chants.) And there was no attempt to block traffic and few signs of law enforcement.
At one point, a female protester was pounding on the hood of a truck and yelling at the driver. From across the street, Raul Claros, a protest organizer, responded through his megaphone, “Stay disciplined. Don’t take the bait. Peaceful protest.”
Feelings inside Dodger Stadium
The sentiment among Dodgers fans inside the stadium was more varied than among the protesters
Margie Lara, 46, said her anger with the Dodgers began in April when the team visited the White House to celebrate their winning the 2024 World Series.
Then came the Dodgers’ silence among the immigration raids and mass deportations.
“It really hurt that it took so long (for the Dodgers) to say anything,’’ Lara said. Of the $1 million commitment, she added, “I feel like it’s a little too late.’’
But her husband, Juan, said of the $1 million pledge, “I think it’s a starting point. You can tell the owners don’t want to get involved. But it’s a starting point.’’
Isabel Fernandez, 57, said, “It feels like the beginning of something great.’’
But her daughter-in-law, Sofi Palacios, 21, said, “It kind of feels like chump change.’’
Juan Corrales, 50, said he’d like to see the team provide more money for assistance.
“There’s a lot of families that are going to get ruined,’’ he said, explaining that families will struggle if relatives who were the breadwinners are deported.
Multiple Dodgers fans declined to comment on the $1 million commitment.
This story has been updated with new information.