For Immediate Release // Please Excuse Cross Posting
Monday, March 16th, 2026
Contact: Palmira Figueroa; 425-301-2764, pfigueroa@ndlon.org
LOS ANGELES, March 16 — Because of scheduling conflicts, the world-champion Los Angeles Dodgers are reportedly going to skip a visit with President Trump in the White House this month. It is allegedly because of scheduling, but Los Angelenos know better.
The following is a statement from Jose Madera of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON). Madera, the director of the Pasadena Community Job Center, is also a lifelong Dodgers fan who launched a community petition and letter-writing campaign urging Dodger players not to let themselves be used for Trump’s photo op:
“If a ‘scheduling conflict’ stops the Dodgers from humiliating themselves and betraying L.A., that’s great. I think that tens of thousands of LA Dodgers fans calling on their team to skip the White House had something to do with it.
“This isn’t controversial. Let’s talk about the moral conflict, the human conflict, the conflict of decency.
“How could any ballplayer shake the hand of the man who is terrorizing millions of immigrants and people of color, thousands of whom are your loyal fans? Would you stand with an abuser who calls his victims and critics ‘terrorists’ and ‘animals’? Would you make excuses to take photos while he tells outrageous lies about immigrants and uses the lies to justify his brutality?
“I said it last fall and I say it again: Do not go to the White House. Not in April. Not in July, when you are back in the D.C. area for games. Not now. Not then. Not ever. Do not put the President’s hatred ahead of the passion and love of your fans and your city.
“Dodgers, this is a moment to make clear what you stand for, alongside the fans who have stood by you. Let us know that you stand with this beautiful city of immigrants.”
To date, over 22,000 people have signed the petition calling on the Dodgers to skip the White House visit. Going forward, we will continue to call on Angelenos to sign our petition and continue to push the team to listen to their fans’ voices. They must decline any White House invitation, as public opinion continues to grow in opposition to Trump and ICE and their attacks on U.S. cities.
