To the editor: I wish to thank columnist Dylan Hernandez for his piece on the Dodgers’ silence as Los Angeles stays below occupation (“Cowardly Dodgers stay silent as ICE raids terrorize their followers,” June 14). That is an abomination.
I say this as a local Angeleno and lifelong Dodgers fan. Like Dodger Stadium itself, I used to be born in 1962. I attended video games earlier than Fernando Valenzuela’s arrival and may say unequivocally that he modified the Dodgers for the higher, making it a crew for the entire metropolis and making the fan expertise way more vibrant and entertaining.
For 45 years, the Dodgers have benefited from the spirit and the revenue stream that the Mexican American and immigrant communities have given them. Throughout final fall’s victory parade, we heard rather a lot about how the Los Angeles followers, with out exception, contributed to the World Sequence win.
Hernandez is precisely proper. The Dodgers’ silence is a horrible betrayal of their followers’ dedication and assist.
My coronary heart broke a bit of Saturday to see so many Dodgers caps and attire on the Whittier “No Kings” rally. In a greater world, the Dodgers would encourage the usage of their caps as an indication of solidarity amongst Angelenos and in opposition to the forces attempting to destroy our metropolis.
Lori Davies, Brea
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To the editor: I need to sincerely thank Hernandez for this current column. His phrases reduce by means of the noise, calling out the hypocrisy that many have chosen to disregard for a lot too lengthy. However I additionally write to ask that we keep in mind this violence didn’t start with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Earlier than federal brokers focused our neighborhoods with raids — and earlier than the Dodgers group selected to go to President Trump on the White Home — this similar company performed a direct function within the forcible removing and destruction of three thriving Mexican American communities: Palo Verde, La Loma and Bishop.
My household, the Arechigas, was amongst these violently displaced to make method for the stadium. This wasn’t only a company land seize — it was a coordinated act between the town of Los Angeles and the Dodgers group. Collectively, they demolished our houses and erased our communities. The Dodgers proceed to revenue off the land by means of promotions and nostalgia, all whereas ignoring our requires reparations and the return of generational wealth. The continued use of “Chavez Ravine” solely deepens that erasure — obscuring the reality that Palo Verde, La Loma and Bishop had been our houses.
To this present day, our households proceed to demand justice, public acknowledgment and significant reparations for what was taken — our houses, our land and our historical past. The present silence round ICE raids is painful, however for us, it’s not new. It’s a continuation of the identical disregard that started within the Fifties and has by no means actually ended.
Melissa Arechiga, Los Angeles
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To the editor: The Dodgers might make an affect by marching as much as an ICE facility of their crew uniforms and demanding that ICE (and the Marines and Nationwide Guard) depart. Such an indication could be inconceivable for Trump to disregard and will assist result in a withdrawal of the forces now terrorizing our neighborhood. On the very least, it might assist restore the tarnished picture the Dodgers now have.
Rob Jacobs, Los Angeles
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To the editor: As a lifelong Dodgers fan (I’m in my late 60s), I sadly should agree that the stunning silence of the membership’s administration by way of assist for its neighborhood of loyal followers, particularly these of Latino heritage who’ve been unfairly demonized and terrorized over the past a number of weeks, is gutless and cowardly. The crew of Jackie Robinson and lots of brave others should do extra. I, for one, will do my half by not attending any video games this 12 months. Quite, I’ll forgo spending the tons of of {dollars} that I yearly spend on tickets, parking and concessions and can donate these funds to native charities and neighborhood organizations that can higher use the assist. Historical past continues to be watching.
William W. Carter, Newbury Park
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To the editor: Michael Jordan, who was criticized for not being vocal on political or racial points, as soon as responded to backlash, “Republicans purchase sneakers too.”
Roy Fassel, Los Angeles
