Fact Check: Singer Vanessa Hernández, known as Nezza, sang the Spanish version of the US national anthem, El Pendón Estrellado, at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, September 30, 2023, as a protest against recent immigration raids.

Fact Check: "Singer Vanessa Hernández, known as Nezza, sang the Spanish version of the US national anthem, El Pendón Estrellado, at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, September 30, 2023, as a protest against recent immigration raids."

What We Know

On September 30, 2023, singer Vanessa Hernández, who performs under the name Nezza, sang "El Pendón Estrellado," the Spanish version of the U.S. national anthem, at Dodger Stadium. This performance occurred during a game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants, attended by over 51,000 fans. Nezza's rendition was reportedly against the wishes of the Dodgers' staff, who had instructed her to sing the anthem in English (NBC News, The Guardian).

Nezza's decision to perform in Spanish was framed as a protest against recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids affecting Latino communities in Los Angeles. In a TikTok video, she expressed her emotional connection to the performance, stating, “I just felt like I needed to do it, para mi gente” (for my people), highlighting her parents' immigrant background and her concerns about family separations due to immigration policies (NBC News, Cultura Colectiva).

Analysis

The claim that Nezza performed the Spanish version of the national anthem as a protest is supported by multiple credible sources. Reports confirm that she was explicitly told to sing in English but chose to perform in Spanish instead, making a powerful statement amidst ongoing immigration issues in the city (NBC News, The Guardian).

The context of her performance is significant, as it coincided with heightened tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in Los Angeles, which has seen protests and public outcry against ICE raids (NBC News). Critics of Nezza's performance have labeled it disrespectful, while supporters praised her courage and the emotional weight of her message (Cultura Colectiva, Yahoo Sports).

The sources used in this analysis are reliable, including mainstream news outlets like NBC News and The Guardian, which have a history of reporting on cultural and social issues. The coverage from these outlets provides a balanced view of the event, including both the performance and the surrounding controversy.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that singer Vanessa Hernández, known as Nezza, sang the Spanish version of the U.S. national anthem at Dodger Stadium as a protest against immigration raids is accurate. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that her performance was both a personal expression and a political statement, reflecting the ongoing struggles within immigrant communities in Los Angeles.

Sources

1. Singer Nezza, at Dodger Stadium sings national anthem in Spanish in ...
2. Nezza Sang the National Anthem in Spanish—And You Could Hear the ...
3. Nezza sings national anthem in Spanish at Dodgers as ...
4. Singer: Dodgers Tried to Stop Spanish Rendition of Anthem - MSN
5. Dodger Stadium singer confirms she performed national ...
6. Singer performs national anthem in Spanish before Dodgers game despite ...
7. Singer performs in Spanish at Dodger Stadium amid ICE ...
8. Who Is Nezza? Singer of National Anthem in Spanish at Dodgers Game