Fact Check: Angel City, LA’s NWSL team, wore shirts that proclaimed themselves 'Immigrant City Football Club' before their game against the North Carolina Courage on September 30, 2023, to make a statement on immigration raids in LA.

Fact Check: Angel City FC Wore 'Immigrant City Football Club' Shirts

What We Know

On September 30, 2023, Angel City FC, the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team based in Los Angeles, wore T-shirts that proclaimed "Immigrant City Football Club" prior to their match against the North Carolina Courage. This action was a direct response to ongoing immigration raids conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Los Angeles, which had sparked significant protests in the city (AP News, The Guardian). The team distributed approximately 10,000 shirts to fans entering BMO Stadium, and players, coaching staff, and management also wore the shirts as a show of solidarity with the immigrant community (ESPN, BBC).

The shirts featured the phrase "Los Angeles is for Everyone" in both English and Spanish on the back, emphasizing the team's commitment to diversity and inclusion (NBC Los Angeles, The Athletic). Angel City FC's actions were part of a broader movement within sports to address social issues, particularly those affecting marginalized communities (The Guardian).

Analysis

The claim that Angel City FC wore shirts stating "Immigrant City Football Club" to make a statement on immigration raids is well-supported by multiple credible sources. The AP News article provides a detailed account of the event, confirming that the shirts were worn in solidarity with immigrants targeted by ICE. Additionally, the BBC and ESPN reports corroborate this, noting the distribution of shirts and the messages printed on them.

The reliability of these sources is high, as they are established news organizations with a reputation for factual reporting. The Associated Press, for instance, is known for its journalistic integrity and thorough fact-checking processes. The New York Times and BBC also maintain strict editorial standards, ensuring that the information they publish is accurate and well-sourced.

Moreover, the context surrounding the event—ongoing immigration raids and community protests—adds weight to the significance of Angel City FC's statement. The club's leadership and players articulated their support for the immigrant community, reinforcing their commitment to social justice (The Athletic, NBC Los Angeles). This coordinated effort reflects a growing trend among sports teams to engage with social issues, making the claim not only true but also indicative of a larger movement within professional sports.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that Angel City FC wore shirts proclaiming "Immigrant City Football Club" before their game against the North Carolina Courage on September 30, 2023, to make a statement on immigration raids in Los Angeles is accurate. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that this action was a deliberate expression of solidarity with the immigrant community in response to ongoing ICE raids.

Sources

1. NWSL's Angel City wears T-shirts reading `Immigrant City Football Club ...
2. Angel City FC players wear 'Immigrant City Football Club ...
3. 'Immigrant City' - Angel City respond to LA raids
4. NWSL's Angel City wears `Immigrant City Football Club' T-shirts
5. Angel City FC wear shirts supporting immigrant community
6. NWSL's Angel City wear 'Immigrant City Football Club ...
7. Angel City FC wear shirts supporting immigrant community
8. Angel City Give Away T-Shirts in Response to U.S. ...