January 1, Dodgers Urged to Snub White House Visit

Wyatt’s Take

• Liberal activists want the Dodgers to skip the White House.
• They claim the Trump administration hurts immigrant communities.
• Baseball is getting dragged into politics again.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are under pressure from immigration activists to reject an invite to visit the White House for their World Series win. Groups say going would “normalize” the Trump administration, calling on the team to take a political stand.

“DODGERS do not visit the White House. Do not normalize Donald Trump. We are witnessing human rights abuses each and every day, traumatizing our communities. Take a stand with the rest of Los Angeles and California and say, NO to Donald Trump!” the activists said in a public post.

The organization argued Los Angeles is a city of “immigrants, working families, and dreamers,” asking the Dodgers to show “justice, dignity, and love” for the city. They released a letter and petition for fans to urge the team to refuse the trip.

“By visiting a president who has used his power to harm the most vulnerable, the team would be turning its back on the very people who fill the stadiums, wear the jerseys, and give this team its heart,” one letter stated.

Protests broke out in Los Angeles this past summer after federal immigration raids near Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers distanced themselves from the event and pledged $1 million in aid to local immigrant families.

Team president Stan Kasten said they “heard the calls for us to take a leading role on behalf of those affected.” The pressure campaign shows how even baseball can’t escape today’s political fights.

If you think sports should stay out of politics or want to see what lines are being drawn, this story is worth following.

Wyatt Matters

In Middle America, we know sports are supposed to bring folks together. When politics gets mixed in, it divides us just like everything else. Regular working people want to cheer, not get told how to think or who to support.

Read the full story here