{"id":117353,"date":"2025-11-06T08:29:27","date_gmt":"2025-11-06T08:29:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=117353"},"modified":"2025-11-06T08:29:27","modified_gmt":"2025-11-06T08:29:27","slug":"%f0%9f%9a%a8political-storm-a-coalition-representing-immigrants-and-day-laborers-urges-the-world-series-champion-dodgers-to-skip-a-white-house-visit-if-extended-by-president-trump-sparking-debates-ov","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=117353","title":{"rendered":"\ud83d\udea8political storm: a coalition representing immigrants and day laborers urges the World Series champion Dodgers to skip a White House visit if extended by President Trump sparking debates over sports, politics, and public statements as the nation watches closely\u2026ll"},"content":{"rendered":"

A coalition of groups representing immigrants and day laborers is asking the World Series champion\u00a0Los Angeles Dodgers<\/a>\u00a0to decline any invitation to visit the White House, assuming President Donald Trump extends one.<\/p>\n

The Pasadena-based\u00a0National Day Laborers Organizing Network<\/a>\u00a0on Wednesday launched\u00a0an online petition<\/a>\u00a0with an open letter to the franchise. It had sent more than 5,600 letters as of Wednesday afternoon, well on the way to reaching its stated goal of 6,400.<\/p>\n

The coalition is demanding the Dodgers skip the traditional ceremony at the White House over the Trump administration\u2019s crackdown on illegal immigration, which has seen daily raids across Southern California and other areas of the state and the U.S.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Los Angeles Dodgers have always been more than a baseball team \u2013 they\u2019re part of the spirit of who we are as a city,\u201d the letter begins. \u201cThe team represents our neighborhoods, our families, and our shared love for our diverse communities. But right now, our community, our city are under siege, we need them to stand with us, on the right side of history.\u201d<\/p>\n

At a press conference in Pasadena on Wednesday, organizers handed out posters reading \u201cICE out of L.A.\u201d and spoke in front of a mural depicting late Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela, a native of Mexico, handcuffed by a federal immigration officer.<\/p>\n

The tradition of baseball champions being honored at the White House dates back to the 1800s when President Andrew Johnson hosted two amateur championship teams. It became more formal and consistent in the 20th Century.<\/p>\n