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For the past 10 days, Los Angeles has been holding their breath.
Neighborhoods from Boyle Heights to Echo Park were shaken by ice raids, military deployments, national protests and court battles, fear and rage.
The family is torn apart. A curfew is in place. The helicopter hums like a bee on a wounded nest.
And in the middle of all that mess? Radio silence from the Chavez Valley.
Until now.
The Los Angeles Dodgers will be unveiling a wide range of new initiatives on Thursday to support immigrant communities affected by the recent federal crackdown, according to multiple reports, including those from the Los Angeles Times.
Some game related news:
Tomorrow, the Dodgers will announce plans to support immigrant communities affected by recent events in Los Angeles, according to a team spokesman.
– Jack Harris (@byjackharris) June 19, 2025
It was a much-anticipated response to the moment that left a scar on the city, raising serious questions about the franchise’s identity.
The Dodgers are more than just a baseball team because of the history of the Hall of Fame and the gorgeousness of Hollywood. They are the cultural institutions of cities with nearly two million residents who speak Spanish, and the immigration experience is as basic as the palm trees and sunsets in the Pacific Ocean.
So when ice attacks began to take over Latino communities earlier this month, they set fire to protests, military interventions and federal lawsuits, with many seeking guidance, or at least simple approval.
But the Dodgers said nothing.
Not when the troops rolled Whittier Boulevard. Not when the helicopter floats above MacArthur Park. Not when social media swirled with videos separated in front of the house.
Speaking volume was kind of silence.
Even his players were unable to remain silent as utility player and fan favorite Kiké Hernández released his statement in both English and Spanish via his Instagram account.
“I may not have been born or raised [in Los Angeles]but the city adopted me as one of their own. I am saddened and angry about what is happening in our country and in our city. The Los Angeles and Dodger fans welcomed me, supported me, showed me nothing but kindness and love. This is my second home. And we can’t see our community being violated, profiled, abused and torn. All people deserve to be treated with respect, dignity and human rights. ”
Former Los Angeles Dodgers slugger and current sports nettra broadcaster Adrian Gonzalez were also furious at recent events that uprooted the LA community.
“This is unconstitutional. It is immoral. We cannot allow this to continue with our Barrios,” he said in a statement on his Instagram account.
Everything went hot over the weekend when Vanessa Hernandez, whose stage name was “Neza,” sang the national anthem in Spanish, despite a team spokesman telling her in front of a sold-out crowd at Dodger Stadium.
Standing alone behind the home plate, under the weight of light and expectations, Netza shook the “Erpendon Estrellado” (the official Spanish version of the American national anthem), bringing unmistakable grace and unmistakable rebellion.
The Dodgers told her not to do that.
She did that anyway.
Online, the fallout was immediate. Some fans criticized her decision. Others celebrated her courage. But no one could say they weren’t moving, whether they booed or cheered.
And the Dodgers finally issued a statement under pressure – against her proposal to make it clear that Neza is not banned from the stadium, rather than condemning or supporting the protest.
“There were no results or harsh feelings about her performance from the Dodgers,” he read the statement. “She wasn’t asked to leave. We’d be happy to come back to her.”
Now, the Dodgers are back in the news once team owner Mark Walter signs a deal to buy the Los Angeles Lakers from Bass’ family, so will the questions be sufficient as the team is ready to announce plans to help the immigrant community?
Do you want to repair a fracture? Will it address the deep cutting that so many fans, especially Latin fans, are feeling? Or is it considered damage control triggered by the PR storm?
The ball is now back in the Dodgers’ hands.
Let’s see what they do with it.
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