'Immigrant City' - Angel City respond to LA raids
Los Angeles-based side Angel City wore shirts reading 'Immigrant City Football Club' before their home National Women's Soccer League game against North Carolina.The players' show of support was a response to the ongoing raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the resulting protests in Los Angeles.The club printed 10,000 T-shirts which read 'Immigrant City Football Club' on the front and 'Los Angeles is for everyone / Los Angeles es para todos' on the back.Fans were handed shirts when they entered BMO Stadium, while Angel City management and coaching staff also wore them."Los Angeles is and always will be an immigrant city," said Angel City's senior social media co-ordinator Yaoziuatl Martinez.
"'Immigrant City FC' points to the make-up of not just the city itself and how we represent it, but who our team is."Our team is made up of immigrants. Our staff is made up of immigrants. It's just very plainly reflecting what and who we are as an organisation."Before kick-off singer and actress Becky G, an Angel City founding investor and LA native, read a statement from the club that was distributed in card form to supporters.It read: "The fabric of this city is made of immigrants. Football does not exist without immigrants. This club does not exist without immigrants."Speaking after the 2-1 defeat, Angel City defender and club captain Ali Riley said: "Football, the game that we all love, we have it here because of immigrants."It's played the way it is because of immigrants. This club that is such a huge part of me wouldn't be here without immigrants."Earlier this week the NWSL Players Association released a statement in conjunction with the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) Players Association about the raids.It read: "We stand with all people seeking safety, dignity, and opportunity, no matter where they come from or where they hope to go."Every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. We know not every situation is simple. But offering compassion should never be up for debate."The NWSL has not made a statement.Last weekend Los Angeles FC fans unfurled an 'Abolish ICE' banner in the stands before kick-off and sat in silence throughout the 3-1 MLS victory over Sporting Kansas City.Mexico's Gold Cup match against the Dominican Republic in LA on Saturday passed without trouble.On Friday Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum urged US authorities not to conduct immigration enforcement targeting fans at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.The Mexico team were forced to change hotels before the match because of security considerations.
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