a day ago
LAFC fans stage anti-ICE protests as team stands in solidarity
Amid the Trump Administration's escalating response to protests over ICE raids in Los Angeles, soccer fans in the city are using the sanctuary of sports to stand together with the city's immigrant community.
At Los Angeles FC games in particular, the team's independent support group — known as The 3252 — has seen a rise in anti-ICE tifos and signs during matches. The team itself showed solidarity with the protests in the stands in a pre-game message shared to social media on June 8 before taking on Sporting Kansas City.
WORLD CUP RELOCATION RUMORS:
Shoulder to Shoulder ✊
— LAFC (@LAFC) June 8, 2025
The 3252 remained silent in protest during the 3-1 victory before chanting 'L.A., Black and Gold. This is Los Angeles, ah-woo, ah-woo, ah-woo" during stoppage time.
Here's what it looked like inside BMO Stadium:
Appreciate for LAFC for showing everyone's Anti Ice signs during the what it's all about an FO that aligns with its supporters #lafc
— Santiago Muñez (@mozkid8) June 9, 2025
'Abolish Ice' and 'Immigrants are the heart of LA' posters in the 3252 for LAFC. Camera cut to it, crowd went awaiting kick-off from LA.
— Alex Swift (@AlexSwiftSports) June 9, 2025
LAFC fans staged a silent protest throughout their game against Sporting KC yesterday. 3252 supporters group messages of solidarity included a large "abolish ICE" banner and another reading "Immigrants are the heartbeat of Los Angeles", as seen on the Apple TV broadcast.
— James Nalton (@JDNalton) June 9, 2025
"This has been a difficult moment for the city of LA," LAFC forward Jeremy Ebobisse said after the match. "I live downtown and I've been seeing and hearing everything that's going on. It breaks the heart to see the callous movements that we're seeing in our streets.
"...We're a community, we stand by each other. It's important that in these difficult moments, we reaffirm that and don't back into our corners and be scared because solidarity is the only way through this. It's not normal and we can't treat it as normal. I fear it's only going to continue to escalate. I'm with the 3252 and anyone who's affected."
ICE confirmed it would have a presence at Club World Cup games in the United States beginning this weekend. LAFC is slated to open CWC play on Monday, June 16 against Chelsea at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
While the department claimed it would be at CWC games to provide security, ICE said "all non-American citizens need to carry proof of their legal status".
This article originally appeared on For The Win: LAFC fans protest ICE as team stands in solidarity
