On Saturday, Angel City, a National Women’s Soccer League team hailing from Los Angeles, distributed T-shirts to attendees with the phrase “Immigrant City Football Club” emblazoned on them.
The soccer players and coaching staff donned these shirts prior to their match against the North Carolina Courage, demonstrating unity with immigrants residing in Los Angeles who have faced actions from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.
The shirts featured the message “Los Angeles is for Everyone” printed in both English and Spanish on the reverse side, and the team reportedly distributed approximately 10,000 of these shirts.
This initiative follows a series of protests in Los Angeles that erupted a week ago in response to President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. The city saw the arrival of National Guard troops and Marines, mirroring similar protests that have spread across the country during this period.
In response to the events, Angel City released a statement on social media expressing their perspective on the protests. The statement conveyed their deep sympathy for the anxiety and hesitance faced by many within their Los Angeles community. It emphasized the team’s belief in the unifying power of belonging, recognizing the strength derived from the city’s diversity and the individuals and families that reside within it.
The players’ unions from both the National Women’s Soccer League and the Women’s National Basketball Association aligned themselves with families experiencing fear, difficulty, and uncertainty due to immigration issues.
These organizations collectively voiced their support, stating, “We stand with all people seeking safety, dignity, and opportunity, no matter where they come from or where they hope to go.” The statement underscored the importance of treating every individual with dignity and respect, and declared that offering compassion should never be a matter of contention.