Dodgers’ Roberts Addresses Immigration Unrest in Los Angeles
Dodgers Navigate Unrest Amidst City’s Immigration Concerns
Los Angeles, June 14, 2025 – Time.news Staff.
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts discussed the city’s response to immigration raids, sparking a wave of protests and community reflections.
- Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the unsettling nature of the unrest in Los Angeles.
- The Dodgers’ home game coincided with ongoing protests stemming from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids.
- Players and community members shared their concerns and reflections on the impact of the raids.
In Los Angeles, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts addressed the city’s current state, where protests have erupted following immigration raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The situation has everyone on edge.
Roberts addressed the situation during a pregame press conference at Dodger Stadium on June 13. The Dodgers’ first home game occurred just after protests began on June 6. The team was coming back from a six-game road trip that began the same day the protests started.
Roberts admitted he didn’t have enough information to comment on the situation intelligently. He mentioned the challenge of deporting people and the general unrest, describing it as “unsettling for everyone.”
What’s the core issue? The unrest in Los Angeles stems from immigration raids conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which have sparked protests and community discussions.
The Dodgers have a deep connection to Los Angeles’ Latino community, including through the legacy of Fernando Valenzuela. The rookie pitcher could barely speak English, but that didn’t stop him from winning the Cy Young award, sparking “Fernandomania” in 1981 and creating a devoted fan base for the Dodgers.
Several Dodgers players declined to comment on the unrest when approached before the game.
Giants first baseman Dom Smith, who grew up in Los Angeles, noted that raids had taken place in his girlfriend’s neighborhood. “My family is still down there, and it’s very sad, what’s going on, people being stripped away from their families,” Smith told the San Francisco Chronicle. “It’s heartbreaking.”
Pride Night and Community Voices
During Dodger Stadium’s Pride Night, IT consultant Marco Weinman shared his reflections on the issues. He identifies with both the gay community and immigrants, particularly those impacted by ICE raids. Weinman, who is second-generation American, sees Los Angeles as a city of immigrants.
Allyson Jackson, who was also at Dodger Stadium for Pride Night, feels empathy for those affected by the raids. “I have close friends and family who are undocumented and who are being affected by this,” said Jackson, 32. She emphasized that it “hurts. It’s very heartbreaking.”
The Dodgers offer multiple heritage nights for various ethnic communities, including Mexican, Guatemalan, and Salvadoran Heritage Nights.
Mixed Feelings at the Game
Jazzmin Martinez, from Whittier, California, shared her mixed emotions about attending the game. She admitted it was not an escape, but she had to “numb yourself a little bit because then you get stuck in sadness.”
She and Diego Sauceda, who have been dating since high school, are both first-generation Americans whose parents immigrated from Mexico. They decided to bring their children, ages 5 and 3, to the game before the protests began.
Sauceda mentioned that the car wash he goes to in Whittier “got hit”. He described the people as “super nice” and “hardworking.” However, as they settled into their seats, the kids enjoyed their popcorn, and the sadness seemed to ease.
“We’ve been telling our kids about it for weeks now,” he said. “We just like, we’re going to show up and let’s see what goes on. So we’re just here just to just enjoy ourselves with our kids.”
