We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere. Eli Wiesel
I’m a fellow Angeleno. Born and raised in LA. I’m not into sports. I could care less about the Dodgers. But I found this article very interesting. As all of it is true. Why haven’t players spoken out ? Just like Lebron James did in the past. Let’s see what the Lakers will do now as this continues and they are owned by the same people that own the Dodgers. It’ll be very telling. I would hope people boycott, but I doubt it. Latino men because of their “machismo” voted for the orange buffoon. They won’t get rid of their favorite team for this.
Someone on ring posted the other day asking if ice was at the dodger stadium. ICE should go. Even though I’m not in favor of it. But I would like to see what the organization and fan base does then?
Everyone needs to stop playing games, pretending that this regime isn't moving us very quickly to dictatorship. Afraid to protest against it.
As for the Dodgers and all the people complaining about the Mexican flag at the protests, they all need to remember that California, along with most of the Western states were once PART of Mexico and it was the white Eurpeans who stole the land. I realize history is no longer taught in US schools, but it's time to get back to it.
FACE THE FACTS - WE ARE A COUNTRY OF IMMIGRANTS AND CHILDREN OF IMMIGRANTS!!
And the Dodgers owe that young woman who sang the National Anthem in Spanish a huge and very public apology, no excuse for what they did. I'm ashamed to even call myself a Dodger fan.
why in the world should the dodgers or any other pro team entangle themselves in the politics of the day?...personally, i'm not partial to celebs' opinions whether they align with mine or not... just do what you do people, if you want to join the hoi-poloi and protest, kool, but i can form my own thoughts re: what is happening in the u.s...and, who is a boycott really going to hurt? not the owners, not the players but the people running the concessions, taking tickets, running up and down the stadium stairs...
The Dodgers are going to have to enlarge their playbook to include the duck and weave - my guess is ICE raids at Dodgers games is next on the T. Rump criminal enterprise agenda. And yes, the cruelty is the point.
Great article with many ideas on how to fight back "without anger".
This monk likes the idea of a boycott, because, alas, "money does talk". Until Neeza can return and sing in Spanish to cheering crowds, everyone should just boycott ALL the games. We can all save money and have "game day" in front of the TV. Be with lots of cheering fans at the house of friends. The reality is that all the fun is already in one's head. No need to go to the stadium!
Boycotts should also extend to crypto currency, bitcoins...It allows fraud and crooks to hide their money. Think about it logically: there is no intrinsic value to bitcoins. The value is all a perpetual fraud. Please look up the history of the tulip mania.
I get it that they might do this during 'normal' times in our country. But this stuff is straight out of the authoritarian playbook. Human rights, and our very democracy are at stake. EVERYONE needs to stand up to these actions like all the other horrific things going on in the country.
I reflexively wished that the Dodgers organization had come out squarely on the side of Los Angeles and against the horrific, devastating and indiscriminate roundup of and terrorizing of Latinos. I don’t know exactly why they haven’t, and some of the stuff like the sarape incidents, or disapproving the National Anthem in Spanish is straight up ridiculous. They should apologize for their errors.
But then I see guys like Pages whose life may very well depend on succeeding in the US. Couldn’t Trump, in a fit of pique, could direct Rubio to cancel his visa tomorrow and send him back to Cuba. Likewise with several other noncitizens on the team. I doubt a guy like Trump would send Ohtani away, but theoretically he could just declare all visas for all Dodgers noncitizens canceled, and have them deported. That is essentially what Trump has done with Harvard University. No student visas for any university student.
I don’t know the right answer or if there have been threats or deals cut behind the scenes. But it might not be as simple as publicly standing up for what’s right. There are lives and livelihoods at stake in this terrifying time. I praise those with courage to do the right thing. But if I owned a business that employs undocumented workers for example, I don’t think I would put an “Abolish Ice” sign in my storefront window this month.
Thank you LB. This the most intelligent response I’ve seen. I’m surprised that others haven’t grasped the likely consequences the Dodgers and, more importantly their at-risk players, face by taking an aggressive stance on the issue. Trump and his little puppet Rubio could, and probably would, deport many of the players we fans love, without blinking an eye. Trump and his stooges are ruthless! I, for one, see nothing positive coming from the Dodgers organization poking the bear. I completely disagree with Mr. Carrasquillo’s assessment.
I feel the same. If the Dodgers silence is in any way borne of business, competitiveness or money, that is cowardly, hypocritical and low character. My point is that Pages is a defector from Cuba. His wife just had a baby. Trump hates LA, and it would be just like him to make an example of the Dodgers by canceling the visas of its noncitizens. If they could remain by getting traded it would be one thing. Sending a defector back to Cuba—That to me is a risk I wouldn’t take if he worked for me.
I appreciate hearing your perspective. The trouble is that players and the organization who place wealth above all just ensure that the rest of us have a harder time fixing this mess. I don't want to endanger anyone's lives. But, clearly we are coming to a point where lives are in danger and we are going to have to take a stand. And if the Dodgers want to keep that super strong Latino fan base, they are going to have to stand up for the human rights of their fans. Can they protect their immigrant players? I don't know. I do know it is wrong to only take an action to protect someone, because they are an expensive asset, and leave your fans dangling in the wind. Hard times. Hard Questions.
As a Dodgers fan, I agree with all of this. But you mention kneeling during the National Anthem during Trump’s first term — and the players lost. Kaepernick was colluded out of the league.
I worry that the silence from the Dodgers is because of a chilling effect from this immigration lawlessness. First, they *never* should have accepted that White House invitation. That was disgusting. But now, if the team were to stand up publicly against Trump, is there any reason to believe this administration wouldn’t revoke the visas of the team’s many international players? What would stop them? Marco Rubio pulls another Ozturk, and suddenly at least five players are in the immediate crosshairs of plainclothes, masked ICE agents? Maybe I’m wrong, but I feel like that is a very real possibility.
We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere. Eli Wiesel
Great reporting, and it seems like it's gotten results! https://x.com/Dodgers/status/1935777782870819056
Reports coming in this morning 6/19 of ICE at dodger stadium today. Let’s see what happens next.
I’m a fellow Angeleno. Born and raised in LA. I’m not into sports. I could care less about the Dodgers. But I found this article very interesting. As all of it is true. Why haven’t players spoken out ? Just like Lebron James did in the past. Let’s see what the Lakers will do now as this continues and they are owned by the same people that own the Dodgers. It’ll be very telling. I would hope people boycott, but I doubt it. Latino men because of their “machismo” voted for the orange buffoon. They won’t get rid of their favorite team for this.
Someone on ring posted the other day asking if ice was at the dodger stadium. ICE should go. Even though I’m not in favor of it. But I would like to see what the organization and fan base does then?
Courage seems to decline as wealth increases.
Everyone needs to stop playing games, pretending that this regime isn't moving us very quickly to dictatorship. Afraid to protest against it.
As for the Dodgers and all the people complaining about the Mexican flag at the protests, they all need to remember that California, along with most of the Western states were once PART of Mexico and it was the white Eurpeans who stole the land. I realize history is no longer taught in US schools, but it's time to get back to it.
FACE THE FACTS - WE ARE A COUNTRY OF IMMIGRANTS AND CHILDREN OF IMMIGRANTS!!
And the Dodgers owe that young woman who sang the National Anthem in Spanish a huge and very public apology, no excuse for what they did. I'm ashamed to even call myself a Dodger fan.
Certainly understand why Kike Hernández wants to keep his head below the parapet. Why have both Stephen Miller and Nick Fuentes after you?
why in the world should the dodgers or any other pro team entangle themselves in the politics of the day?...personally, i'm not partial to celebs' opinions whether they align with mine or not... just do what you do people, if you want to join the hoi-poloi and protest, kool, but i can form my own thoughts re: what is happening in the u.s...and, who is a boycott really going to hurt? not the owners, not the players but the people running the concessions, taking tickets, running up and down the stadium stairs...
The Dodgers are going to have to enlarge their playbook to include the duck and weave - my guess is ICE raids at Dodgers games is next on the T. Rump criminal enterprise agenda. And yes, the cruelty is the point.
Great article with many ideas on how to fight back "without anger".
This monk likes the idea of a boycott, because, alas, "money does talk". Until Neeza can return and sing in Spanish to cheering crowds, everyone should just boycott ALL the games. We can all save money and have "game day" in front of the TV. Be with lots of cheering fans at the house of friends. The reality is that all the fun is already in one's head. No need to go to the stadium!
Boycotts should also extend to crypto currency, bitcoins...It allows fraud and crooks to hide their money. Think about it logically: there is no intrinsic value to bitcoins. The value is all a perpetual fraud. Please look up the history of the tulip mania.
Boycott buying tesla cars. Obvious...
It’s Dodger Stadium, not Dodgers Stadium.
I love your thoughtful writing Adrian. Your interview with Senator Padilla was masterful.
I get it that they might do this during 'normal' times in our country. But this stuff is straight out of the authoritarian playbook. Human rights, and our very democracy are at stake. EVERYONE needs to stand up to these actions like all the other horrific things going on in the country.
I reflexively wished that the Dodgers organization had come out squarely on the side of Los Angeles and against the horrific, devastating and indiscriminate roundup of and terrorizing of Latinos. I don’t know exactly why they haven’t, and some of the stuff like the sarape incidents, or disapproving the National Anthem in Spanish is straight up ridiculous. They should apologize for their errors.
But then I see guys like Pages whose life may very well depend on succeeding in the US. Couldn’t Trump, in a fit of pique, could direct Rubio to cancel his visa tomorrow and send him back to Cuba. Likewise with several other noncitizens on the team. I doubt a guy like Trump would send Ohtani away, but theoretically he could just declare all visas for all Dodgers noncitizens canceled, and have them deported. That is essentially what Trump has done with Harvard University. No student visas for any university student.
I don’t know the right answer or if there have been threats or deals cut behind the scenes. But it might not be as simple as publicly standing up for what’s right. There are lives and livelihoods at stake in this terrifying time. I praise those with courage to do the right thing. But if I owned a business that employs undocumented workers for example, I don’t think I would put an “Abolish Ice” sign in my storefront window this month.
Thank you LB. This the most intelligent response I’ve seen. I’m surprised that others haven’t grasped the likely consequences the Dodgers and, more importantly their at-risk players, face by taking an aggressive stance on the issue. Trump and his little puppet Rubio could, and probably would, deport many of the players we fans love, without blinking an eye. Trump and his stooges are ruthless! I, for one, see nothing positive coming from the Dodgers organization poking the bear. I completely disagree with Mr. Carrasquillo’s assessment.
I feel the same. If the Dodgers silence is in any way borne of business, competitiveness or money, that is cowardly, hypocritical and low character. My point is that Pages is a defector from Cuba. His wife just had a baby. Trump hates LA, and it would be just like him to make an example of the Dodgers by canceling the visas of its noncitizens. If they could remain by getting traded it would be one thing. Sending a defector back to Cuba—That to me is a risk I wouldn’t take if he worked for me.
Thank you for your thoughtful reply.
I appreciate hearing your perspective. The trouble is that players and the organization who place wealth above all just ensure that the rest of us have a harder time fixing this mess. I don't want to endanger anyone's lives. But, clearly we are coming to a point where lives are in danger and we are going to have to take a stand. And if the Dodgers want to keep that super strong Latino fan base, they are going to have to stand up for the human rights of their fans. Can they protect their immigrant players? I don't know. I do know it is wrong to only take an action to protect someone, because they are an expensive asset, and leave your fans dangling in the wind. Hard times. Hard Questions.
As a Dodgers fan, I agree with all of this. But you mention kneeling during the National Anthem during Trump’s first term — and the players lost. Kaepernick was colluded out of the league.
I worry that the silence from the Dodgers is because of a chilling effect from this immigration lawlessness. First, they *never* should have accepted that White House invitation. That was disgusting. But now, if the team were to stand up publicly against Trump, is there any reason to believe this administration wouldn’t revoke the visas of the team’s many international players? What would stop them? Marco Rubio pulls another Ozturk, and suddenly at least five players are in the immediate crosshairs of plainclothes, masked ICE agents? Maybe I’m wrong, but I feel like that is a very real possibility.
I am often reminded of JVL's maxim organizations that aren't explicitly anti-authoritarian will over time become pro-authoritarian.
Absolutely