CARSON, Calif. -- The LA Galaxy scored three goals and earned a shutout on the way to their second win of the season in a 3-0 dismantling of the Vancouver Whitecaps at home on Friday, July 4, 2025.
A large section of their most hardcore and passionate supporters wasn’t in the stands to see the victory, however.
In the Galaxy’s first match at home since ICE began conducting the immigration raids that sparked massive protests, and that in turn prompted the occupation of Los Angeles by federal forces, the Galaxy’s supporter groups came together to carry out different forms of protest in a show of solidarity with immigrant communities before and during LA’s game against Vancouver.
They also did so to call out the Galaxy's silence and was a continuation of their suspension of all team related activities. In June, the groups canceled their annual bus trip to San Jose, in which almost a thousand Galaxy fans participated just a few short years ago and usually commands at least four buses.
The groups view the LA Galaxy’s refusal to make a statement regarding ICE presence in Los Angeles unacceptable, and made themselves and their displeasure be felt.
LA Galaxy supporter groups making a strong unified statement in support of Los Angeles' immigrant communities at the beginning of the Galaxy’s match against Vancouver.
— El Escudero de LA (@ElEscuderoDeLA) July 5, 2025
"Fight Ignorance, Not Immigrants!"
'0 | 0-0 | #LAvVAN | #LAGalaxy | #VWFC | #MLS pic.twitter.com/26VrffgECm
Before the match, anti-ICE signs could already be seen hanging prominently in supporter group tailgate areas, many in Spanish, and many with colorful language. The normally full supporters' sections of Dignity Health Sports Park were nearly empty, as many skipped the match in protest. And the sections were eerily quiet.
Once the match started, the groups began their own versions of the protest.
LA Riot Squad carried out a silent protest throughout the entire match, accompanied by a tifo at kick off, which read, “We like our whiskey neat, and our land and people free.”
Across the stadium, the normally lively Victoria Block, a section of the stadium inhabited by Angel City Brigade, Galaxy Outlawz, and Galaxians, stood about 90% empty at kick-off.
Photo Credit: Alex Ruiz
LA Galaxy fans display a banner at the beginning of a planned protest during the team's victory over Vancouver 3-0 on Friday, July 4, 2025, which read, "AEG loves immigrant dollars, but not immigrants."
Despite this, Victoria Block brought out its own tifo, reading “Fight Ignorance, Not Immigrants.” They displayed this message until Angel City Brigade and Galaxians (who’d also been observing a silent protest), walked out of the stadium in the 12th minute of the match. Another sign, much more pointedly, declared, “AEG loves immigrant dollars but not immigrants.”
Only Galaxy Outlawz remained in the section, and they, too, were observing the silent protest, stating, “Silence meets silence.”
Those who walked out could be heard outside the stadium, singing songs against ICE and chanting.
LA Galaxy supporters in Victoria Block have walked out of the stadium during the match. Certainly another way of showing their solidarity with LA's immigrant community. We'll try to bring you more on this.
— El Escudero de LA (@ElEscuderoDeLA) July 5, 2025
'13 | 1-0 | #LAvVAN | #LAGalaxy | #VWFC | #MLS pic.twitter.com/0o4vUUaF9K
It remains to be seen, what, if anything, the supporter groups will achieve with their protest, but the last time they took direct action together, they managed to remove the team president Chris Klein.
The stakes are much higher this time, with neighbors suffering, our communities afraid, and families being torn apart daily.
It is fortunate, then, that while the team meets the moment with silence, the supporters meet the moment with action and compassion.