On Friday morning, over 50 community and religious leaders from across Los Angeles united in signing a petition urging the Los Angeles Dodgers to take a definitive public stance against the ongoing ICE raids. These raids have instilled a profound sense of fear within local communities, disrupted businesses, and torn families apart. By Friday afternoon, the Dodgers took their first significant step in addressing the community's concerns.
In their initial public response to the recent immigration raids that have impacted Los Angeles, the Dodgers announced a commitment of $1 million aimed at assisting families of immigrants affected by these events. Furthermore, the organization revealed plans for additional initiatives that are set to be disclosed in the days ahead. Team president Stan Kasten emphasized the importance of their role, stating, “What’s happening in Los Angeles has reverberated among thousands upon thousands of people, and we have heard the calls for us to take a leading role on behalf of those affected.” He further expressed the team's belief that by allocating resources and taking action, they can continue to support and uplift the communities of Greater Los Angeles.
The Dodgers faced increasing pressure to address the unrest that has engulfed the city over the past two weeks, especially after the circulation of Friday’s petition. The letter, directed to Dodgers owner Mark Walter, called for the team to stand in solidarity with the families affected by the raids. It urged, “If these truly are OUR beloved Los Angeles Dodgers, we need you, more than ever, to stand with us, immigrants and non-immigrants alike. Stand with all of us.” This petition was organized by the faith-based community organizing network PICO California and came shortly after the Dodgers postponed their planned financial assistance announcement due to the unexpected presence of immigration agents at Dodger Stadium.
The immigration agents had attempted to access the stadium’s parking lots, seemingly looking to use them as a processing site for individuals arrested in a nearby immigration raid. The Dodgers denied the agents entry, according to the team, and subsequently rescheduled their announcement for Friday afternoon. In this announcement, they confirmed that the $1 million in financial resources would be provided in partnership with the City of Los Angeles. The Dodgers noted, “The Dodgers and the City of Los Angeles have a proven ability to get financial resources to those in critical need, most recently seen in their efforts to aid victims of the January wildfires.” This partnership aims to encourage organizations in similar positions to utilize their resources to directly support families and workers facing economic hardship.
The Dodgers indicated that more initiatives in collaboration with local community and labor organizations would be announced soon. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed gratitude, stating, “I want to thank the Dodgers for leading with this action to support the immigrant community of Los Angeles.” This commitment aligns with requests outlined in the earlier petition, which called for the Dodgers to affirm that families are sacred, support welcoming community organizations, and ensure that no Dodgers’ property would be used to aid immigration enforcement operations.
The public petition campaign promoted alongside the letter garnered support from local church leaders, including bishops from the Methodist California-Pacific Conference and the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. The petition also received endorsements from over 20 community advocacy groups, such as the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights and the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, as well as labor leaders from local teacher unions and the Service Employees International Union.
Joseph Tomás McKellar, executive director of PICO California, articulated the sentiment shared by many supporters: “We love the Dodgers not only because they are champions, but even more because they are the team of Jackie Robinson, of Fernando Valenzuela, of Kiké Hernandez — baseball players who have helped bend the moral arc of the universe towards justice.” He emphasized that this moment presents the Dodgers, a cherished cultural institution for 67 years, the opportunity to take a moral stand and significantly impact the lives of vulnerable families in the region. “Families are sacred,” he concluded.
