Whether it’s the cancellation of a beloved show or the death of a beloved character, fans are accustomed to protesting. Fandom provides community, and it can feel like a loss of identity when something that is important to you no longer exists. Loss can also be a source of frustration and anger, which can fuel the urge to protest.
When Colin Kaepernick decided to sit for the national anthem, many people didn’t even notice. Most treated the anthem as an afterthought, or saw it as snack-and-beer time. And if they did notice, they probably felt nothing more than annoyance that he didn’t “show proper respect.”
Now, the leader of one of the Galaxy’s major fan groups says there isn’t a day that goes by that she doesn’t cry over the ICE raids targeting Southern California’s Latino communities. Gloria Jimenez and Bruce Martin are the leaders of Angel City Brigade, which has made its voice heard during Galaxy home matches since 2007.
As Black folks risked their lives in the Civil Rights Movement for integration in schools and housing, they turned their passions into nonviolent weapons. They boycotted professional sports teams that drew in white fans and segregated seating, and Black newspapers kept fans abreast of the latest boycotts through editorials and letters to the editor. Black fans even formed their own clubs, which drew thousands of people for rallies, meetings and marching. And they continued their activism after the movement was over, turning their love of sport into a vehicle for social change.
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