LOS ANGELES -- In a continuation of an ongoing protest started in the first days of ICE’s occupation of Los Angeles, LA Galaxy Supporter Groups will skip their fourth straight game, an El Tráfico matchup between city rivals, LA Galaxy and LAFC, on Saturday, July 19, at BMO Stadium.
On July 18, the three groups that call the North side of the stands at Dignity Health Sports Park, also known as Victoria Block, home—Angel City Brigade, Galaxians, and Galaxy Outlawz —released a joint statement stating they would not be attending LA’s derby match.
— Angel City Brigade (@ACBrigade) July 17, 2025
Stating, “solidarity with those who can’t attend, lack of help from the Galaxy to the city of Los Angeles, and a lack of communication on security for members attending home and away due to immigration raids,” the supporters' decision not to attend is not surprising.
All supporter-related activities have been paused since June, when the groups, along with LA Riot Squad, who sit in the Southeast corner of the stadium, decided to skip the annual trip North to see the Galaxy face off against the San Jose Earthquakes.
They followed that up with a silent protest at the Galaxy’s 3-0 Fourth of July win, LA’s first home game since ICE’s arrival in the city, over the Vancouver Whitecaps, with Angel City Brigade and Galaxians staging a walkout in the 12th minute.
In the aftermath of the walkout, which saw the groups congregate outside the stadium, several signs were displayed criticizing the Galaxy and their owners, AEG. Accredited Photographer and Angel City Brigade Member Bruce Martin captured a photo stating, “AEG Loves Immigrant Dollars, But Not Immigrants.”
And that’s where the 12-year ACB member’s relationship with the Galaxy changed forever.
Martin was informed in the following days via a letter from the team that he was being given an indefinite ban from Dignity Health Sports Park, as well as Galaxy tailgates and events. The photographer, who released a book of Galaxy fan photos last year titled “This is Where My Heart Lies,” stands accused of using his game-day media credential to get the aforementioned sign into stadium grounds, which is a violation of MLS’ pre-approved banner policy.
Martin has denied the charge, and many in Angel City Brigade have canceled their season tickets in his support.
The protest and the added fuel of Martin’s ban contributed to the paltry turnout for the Galaxy’s next match. With plenty of empty seats visible, it was a 2-1 home victory over D.C. United that felt void of a pulse without the supporters' drums, and low on passion without their voices.
Almost 20 minutes into the game, LA Galaxy fans have rolled their protest into week two. Silent protest this week in Victoria Block. Signs critical of the team have been displayed in the section.
— El Escudero de LA (@ElEscuderoDeLA) July 13, 2025
'18 | 0-0 | #LAvDC | #LAGalaxy | #DCUnited | #MLS pic.twitter.com/wQHsIdqu7C
The atmosphere was even worse at the Galaxy’s recent 2-1 home loss to Austin on Wednesday, July 16.
The Digz was eerily quiet, with the players clearly audible. Many lone fans tried and failed to start up a sustained support, to no avail. In just seven months, the Galaxy’s home has gone from celebrating a title to hosting its smallest crowd of the season.
"Silence Meets Silence"
With the Galaxy Outlawz telling the Sporting Tribune on more than one occasion that “silence meets silence,” it is little wonder that Victoria Block as a whole will be staying away from the Galaxy’s next match against LAFC.
L.A. Riot Squad told The Sporting Tribune through a spokesperson that “some members [would be] going, but some of leadership already planned not to go.”
Normally, one of the most anticipated away games of the year for supporters, years past have seen a lottery system set up by the team for the right to attend the match. A “winning” ticket meant having to sit in LAFC’s stadium hours before the contest, usually in the sun, to have the opportunity to cheer on their team. Anywhere between 300 and 400 supporters from all the different groups made the trip last year, and the small-but-mighty contingent always makes itself felt as if in defiance of their rivals across the stadium.
Photo Credit: LA Galaxy
LA Galaxy Midfielder Edwin Cerrillo acknowledged the tough moment Galaxy fans are going through, saying, "We are going through a moment where there are things outside of football that hurts our people. The Latino people have 100% support, and these are things outside the pitch."
Their absence will have a noticeable impact on the game’s atmosphere, at least as far as the Galaxy is concerned. The reigning champions will be unable to draw upon the infectious energy of their most passionate and faithful supporters in a game that is likely to determine if they have a realistic shot of making a run at the playoffs.
Making the playoffs might not be possible, but making peace with their own supporters is for the LA Galaxy. Hopefully, the team and its most ardent supporters find a way to reconcile because soccer just isn’t the same without fans.
We’ll see just how true that is when the Galaxy face off against LAFC without theirs on Saturday for El Tráfico bragging rights.