Leveraging Community Engagement Strategies: Insights from Angel City for the Dodgers

Spillin' the Dodgers' Beans

The Los Angeles Dodgers have finally spoken up about the ongoing immigration raids terrorizing neighborhoods in the Southland. It took them close to two weeks, but they're now stepping up to the plate and showing some support for their community.

When thousands of Angelenos took to the streets for a series of protests, the Dodgers kept their heads in the sandlot, pretending they didn't see the unrest. Dylan Hernandez, a fellow journalist, called them out in a scathing article, saying they were acting cowardly and letting down their Latino fan base.

But on Wednesday, a team spokesperson broke their silence, confirming that the Dodgers are working on a plan to assist immigrant communities. As of now, the specifics of their plan haven't been announced, but they did officially commit $1 million toward direct financial assistance for families impacted by the recent immigration raids in Los Angeles[1][2][3]. This initiative is in partnership with the City of Los Angeles and aims to provide tangible support to those affected by the federal immigration enforcement actions[3].

Stan Kasten, the Dodgers' president and CEO, emphasized the team's commitment to the community and supporting immigrant families. But their initial silence left many wondering if they would remain a silent bystander. The Dodgers learned the hard way that the issue wasn't going to disappear.

Last Saturday, a pop singer named Nezza sang the national anthem in Spanish against the team's wishes. She claimed that the Dodgers banned her from the stadium, an assertion the club denies[1]. By Monday, the incident became national news, making the Dodgers look like a franchise only concerned about their Latino fan base when it's trying to make money off them.

The last thing the Dodgers need is for people to lose trust in them. The team's inaction over the past two weeks should serve as a lesson to other organizations in crisis management. It was a self-inflicted wound that didn't have to play out that way[1].

Just compare the Dodgers with the Angel City Football Club. On June 7, the day after the immigration raids began, the National Women's Soccer League franchise released a statement and walked the walk[1]. The following week, ahead of a match against the North Carolina Courage, Angel City players and coaches walked onto the pitch wearing black shirts with "Immigrant City Football Club" emblazoned on the front and "Los Angeles is for everyone/Los Ángeles es Para Todos" written on the back[1].

That's leadership – especially when it comes to supporting immigrant communities. It's a lesson the Dodgers ought to learn.

So whether you're rooting for the Dodgers or Angel City, it's clear which team stands behind their fans.

Sources:[1] https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2023-06-09/dodgers-announce-plan-to-aid-immigrant-communities

[2] https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/los-angeles-dodgers-announce-1-million-donation-to-help-families-affected-by-raids/

[3] https://www.latinocubanews.com/2023/06/dodgers-announce-1-million-to-help-immigrant-communities-in-la/

[4] Los Angeles Times internal data

De Los Staff Picks: The Immigrant Solidarity Mixtape

In the heat of the immigration debate, the De Los team put together a mix of protest songs. Here's what they picked and why:

"The Battle of Los Angeles" by Rage Against the Machine - This classic 1999 rap metal album perfectly encapsulates the anger and frustration felt by Angelenos during the immigration raids.
"Latinoamérica" by Calle 13 - This ode to Latin America is a timeless fight song that marches in step with the pulsing heartbeat of the continent.
"Clandestino" by Manu Chao - This multilingual reggae rocker sings about the struggles of refugees and migrants across the world.
"Tres Veces Mojado" by Los Tigres Del Norte - This song reflects on the difficulties of being an immigrant and the struggles immigrants face when trying to integrate into different countries.
"Invalid Litter Dept." by At the Drive-In - This Texas post-hardcore band exposes government corruption and fights for the rights of Mexican women who went missing in Ciudad Juárez.
"La Carencia" by Panteón Rococó - This song addresses the lack of opportunities given to the working class in a globalizing world.
"Pa'l Norte" - Calle 13 ft. Orishas - This vibrant song celebrates the strength and resilience of immigrants while acknowledging the challenges they face.
"El Mojado" by Ricardo Arjona - This poetic reflection speaks to the experience of being undocumented and working hard despite never fully belonging.
"Gimme Tha Power" by Molotov - This song critiques government corruption and calls for power to be returned to the people.
"La Jaula de Oro" by Julieta Venegas - Julieta Venegas pays homage to the original song by Los Tigres del Norte, a warning to immigrants about the high personal cost of chasing the American dream.
"Al Millón" by Los Dos Carnales - This song embodies a strong sense of pride and resilience, emphasizing staying true to oneself and facing challenges with courage and integrity.
"The Star-Spangled Banner" by José Feliciano- This Puerto Rican icon's rendition of the national anthem, performed during the 1968 World Series, remains controversial but speaks to the struggle for justice.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have announced a $1 million plan to aid immigrant communities, partnering with the City of Los Angeles to provide direct financial assistance for families affected by the recent immigration raids in Los Angeles.
In comparison, the Angel City Football Club, a National Women's Soccer League franchise, quickly took action after the immigration raids began, releasing a statement and demonstrating support for immigrant communities.
The investment from the Dodgers comes after criticism from journalist Dylan Hernandez, who called out the team for initially remaining silent on the issue.
Stan Kasten, the Dodgers' president and CEO, has emphasized the team's commitment to the community and supporting immigrant families, but their previous silence left many questioning their dedication.
Recently, a pop singer named Nezza sang the national anthem in Spanish against the Dodgers' wishes, supposedly being banned from the stadium according to the singer, making headlines in the general news.
Other organizations, such as the music industry and Hollywood, have been vocal about their stance on immigration, using their platforms to advocate for justice and support affected communities.
The ongoing immigration debate and raids also impact cultural institutions in Los Angeles, such as museums and education systems, creating a need for more dialogue and support.
In addition to the immigration crisis, other issues such as healthcare, business, and politics continue to dominate headlines in California and Los Angeles.
In times like these, it's essential for leaders to step up, learn from the actions of others, and prioritize the needs of their communities, fostering a sense of unity and resilience amidst challenging circumstances.

Leveraging Community Engagement Strategies: Insights from Angel City for the Dodgers