The Galaxy have banned a fan from the Angel Metropolis Brigade assist group following the July 4 match at Dignity Well being Sports activities Park in Carson. The staff has additionally restricted entry for different followers accused of harassing the MLS staff’s administration.
Bruce Martin, a 12-year Angel Metropolis Brigade member, was banned indefinitely for utilizing a press credential to carry a banner into the stadium not licensed by the staff, in accordance with a letter despatched to Martin informing him that he can not attend any Galaxy video games in Carson or some other occasions at Dignity Well being Sports activities Park.
Followers from the identical group have been suspended indefinitely for harassing members of Galaxy administration, in accordance with an individual with data of the choice not licensed to debate it publicly.
Throughout the residence recreation in opposition to Vancouver, followers of the Angel Metropolis Brigade, based in 2007, walked in with a number of banners protesting immigration raids in Southern California since June 6. Among the protest banners blamed AEG, the proprietor of the Galaxy, for remaining quiet whereas followers had been harmed by raids.
Angel Metropolis Brigade followers, historically situated in Sections 121 and 122 of Galaxy’s stadium, left the sport on the 12-minute mark in protest. Different teams, comparable to Galaxians, LA Riot Squad and Galaxy Outlawz, joined them by maintaining quiet throughout the match.
“We have not issued a statement. We recognize the impact that recent events and actions have had on our community,” Galaxy spokesperson Jamie Álvarez stated. “For decades, we have honored the rich backgrounds, cultures, and experiences of our fans and staff. Our purpose as a professional sports organization is to unite and support our community around a shared love of this sport. We are focusing on prioritizing the safety, well-being, and sense of belonging for our staff and for our fans.”
Members of the Angel Metropolis Brigade protest immigration raids by hoisting a tifo that reads “Fight Ignorance, Not Immigrants” over their fan part initially of the Galaxy’s match in opposition to Vancouver on July 4 at Dignity Well being Sports activities Park.
(Jill Connelly/Para LA Occasions en Español)
The Dodgers, one other staff with a big Latino fan base, had been additionally criticized for not saying something at the start of the raids and in the end pledged to make a $1 million donation to households affected by the raids.
Martin, who final season launched a e-book titled “This is Where My Heart Lies: Through the Eyes of a Supporter,” chronicling his ardour as a Galaxy fan, revealed the letter on social media wherein he’s vetoed. Martin stated he was heartbroken by the choice, however followers have supported him and his trigger.
“A large percentage of the [Angel City Brigade] has canceled their season tickets,” Martin stated. “There are a lot of fans around MLS who have reached out to me. It’s one of my favorite things about the soccer community — how close we are.”
The assist from Angel Metropolis Brigade, Galaxians, LA Riot Squad, Galaxy Outlawz and different fan teams play a significant function in making the Galaxy’s residence area at Dignity Well being Sports activities Park a fortress, a stadium the place the staff didn’t lose all of final common season and the place it gained its sixth MLS title.
On July 12, followers additionally stopped chanting in protest of “the silence of the L.A. Galaxy” within the face of immigration raids.
“We recognize that the volume in the stadium is different,” Galaxy coach Greg Vanney stated following the staff’s recreation in opposition to D.C. United. “As I’ve said before, the fans have a right to take whatever stances they want and our job is to go out and try to win games. We want the fans to come, we want them to feel safe, we want them to feel like this is their club and the place they want to be, and we try to do our job on the field to help make that happen.”
The Galaxy permitted the large tifo used on July 4, which featured three Hispanic figures and a message that learn, “Fight Ignorance, Not Immigrants.”
Based on the staff spokesperson, the membership has had a number of discussions — earlier than and after the July 4 recreation — in particular person and small group conferences with leaders of Galaxy supporter teams to attempt to resolve the problem. The Galaxy works with group teams comparable to CARECEN [Central American Resource Center,] Coronary heart of Los Angeles and All Peoples Neighborhood Middle, amongst others.
This text first appeared in Spanish through L.A. Occasions en Español.
