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.

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

What We Know

On September 30, 2023, Angel City FC, a National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) team based in Los Angeles, wore T-shirts that proclaimed "Immigrant City Football Club" before their home game against the North Carolina Courage. This action was a show of solidarity with the immigrant community in Los Angeles, particularly in response to ongoing raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that had sparked protests in the city (BBC, AP News).

The club printed approximately 10,000 T-shirts, which featured the phrase "Immigrant City Football Club" on the front and "Los Angeles is for everyone / Los Angeles es para todos" on the back. These shirts were distributed to fans entering BMO Stadium, and members of the team, coaching staff, and management also wore them (New York Times, NBC New York).

Angel City's senior social media coordinator, Yaoziuatl Martinez, emphasized that the team is made up of immigrants and that the shirts reflect the identity of both the city and the organization (BBC). The event included a statement read by singer and actress Becky G, which highlighted the integral role of immigrants in the fabric of the city and the sport (AP News, ESPN).

Analysis

The claim that Angel City FC wore shirts reading "Immigrant City Football Club" is supported by multiple credible sources. Reports from the BBC, AP News, and the New York Times confirm that the team engaged in this act of solidarity during their game on September 30, 2023. The context surrounding this action is significant, as it was a direct response to heightened immigration enforcement and community protests in Los Angeles (BBC, AP News, New York Times).

The sources used in this fact-check are reputable news organizations with a history of accurate reporting. The BBC and AP News are particularly well-regarded for their journalistic standards, providing comprehensive coverage of events. The New York Times also has a strong reputation for in-depth reporting. The consistency across these sources lends credibility to the claim.

However, it is important to note that while the primary focus of the shirts was to support the immigrant community, the broader political implications of immigration policies in the U.S. may influence the narratives presented by different outlets. For instance, some reports may emphasize the protests against ICE raids more than others, which could reflect varying editorial slants. Nonetheless, the core fact that Angel City FC wore these shirts is corroborated by multiple independent sources.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that Angel City FC wore shirts proclaiming themselves "Immigrant City Football Club" before their game against the North Carolina Courage on September 30, 2023, is accurate. This action was part of a broader statement of solidarity with the immigrant community in Los Angeles, reflecting the team's identity and values. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms the occurrence of this event.

Sources

1. 'Immigrant City' - Angel City respond to LA raids
2. NWSL's Angel City wears T-shirts reading `Immigrant City Football Club ...
3. Angel City FC players wear 'Immigrant City Football Club ...
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 Wears T-Shirts Reading `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. ...