2 days ago
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
‘It's ridiculous the National Guard is here' as Valkyries show up to play Sparks
LOS ANGELES — Less than 24 hours after protesters clashed with law enforcement officers just outside of Arena in response to federal immigration enforcement raids, the Golden State Valkyries and Los Angeles Sparks had to play a basketball game.
Life around the downtown stadium was mostly business as usual the day after President Donald Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard troops in the Los Angeles area. But a few blocks away, protesters gathered at the Los Angeles Federal Building.
The only noticeable commotion ahead of the two teams' third matchup of the season was a line that wrapped around the adjacent Peacock Theater for the 2025 BET Awards and a high school graduation across the street.
'I thought it was going to be a lot different over here,' said Jada DaMae, a San Diego native who attends a lot of Sparks games. 'I didn't even know if the game was gonna happen. I don't want to get in the way of the protesters, but I got here and was like, 'cool, not a lot going on.'
'But honestly, if the protests were going to disrupt the game, I would fully support that. I would hope the WNBA would, too, and that they say something. But mostly, I want everyone out there to stay safe.'
The WNBA offered no comment to requests from the Chronicle, nor did the Sparks or Valkyries organizations. Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts said her job was 'to prepare a team to play tonight.'
'Our players are professionals, but we're all tracking and we're all very aware (of the protests),' the first-year coach said. 'It provokes a lot of emotion, but I'll let the discussion beyond that go to the people that really have an understanding of what's going on and how to best handle that.'
Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase, an Anaheim native and former Los Angeles Clippers assistant coach, said before the game that her 'heart was with' the city.
'I grew up here,' she said. 'I have friends and family that are from here, and honestly, (Los Angeles) means a lot to me and is close to my heart. So I just wish for everyone's safety, and hopefully we'll have a peaceful resolution coming.'
In a press conference at the Los Angeles Emergency Operations Center, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said there were five ICE raids in the city on Monday. As the Valkyries and Sparks warmed up two miles away around 6:20 p.m.,personnel on the rooftop of the Federal Building were firing off 'less-lethal' munitions, according to NBC.
However, the hours ahead of the game remained quiet outside of camera crews in position for live shots outside of the BET Awards. Some fans felt some tension around downtown.
'It's ridiculous the National Guard is here,' said Sparks fan and Torrance native Deborah Massa. 'Trump wanted to call the National Guard in so he made it an emergency. Everyone has been peaceful, this shouldn't be happening.'
The Los Angeles Police Department told the Chronicle they were not adding any extra officers around Arena and that 'we are equipped to handle anything that might come up.' But there was a heavy police presence in the surrounding area, including groups of up to five officers standing around police cars by South Figuroa Street.
'It's supposed to be fun and exciting,' said a league staffer about Monday's game, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not permitted to speak to the press. 'Our hearts, however, are with the community as Los Angeles is under attack by unlawful raids and deportations. These raids make us all less safe and are targeting hardworking members of our community.'
The Valkyries stayed at a hotel further away from downtown, partially due to the unrest. A Sparks spokesperson said before the game that the team was not anticipating any protests around the arena during the contest.
Inside Arena, a smattering of fans danced to 'Hot to Go,' took selfies in front of the court and cheered as the Sparks came onto the court. Sparky, the Sparks' mascot, did backflips to an appreciative audience. There was no evidence of what was occurring just about two miles away.
'It's weird this is happening and we're just here at a Sparks game,' Massa said. 'I don't think I knew how close it all was, but you can't tell from here, other than maybe parking, but that's L.A.'
