Introduction to the Incident
A Milwaukee Brewers fan has lost her job after being seen on video suggesting to "call ICE" on a Latino fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers during Game 2 of the National League Championship Series at American Family Field in Milwaukee on Tuesday night, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and other media outlets report.
The reports identify the woman in the video as Shannon Kobylarczyk. Her employer, Milwaukee-based staffing company ManpowerGroup, confirmed to reporters Wednesday that she was no longer with the company. Additionally, according to reports, Make-A-Wish Wisconsin says Kobylarczyk also resigned from her role on its board of directors.
The Incident Unfolds
The cellphone video, recorded by Ricardo Fosado, has been posted all over social media. In the video, Fosado stands up to needle the Brewers fans around him, asking why they’ve gone so quiet after the Dodgers had extended their Game 2 lead.
The Brewers had taken a 1-0 lead on Jackson Chourio’s leadoff homer in the bottom of the first inning, but their bats went silent after that, and the Dodgers won, 5-1, to take a 2-0 series lead back to Los Angeles. Game 3 is Thursday evening.
In the video, Kobylarczyk first comes back at Fosado by making fun of the beverage he was drinking.
"Real men drink beer, (expletive)!" Kobylarczyk hollers at Fosado.
Fosado then turns and asks, "Why is everybody quiet?"
"You know what, let’s call ICE," Kobylarczyk responds while nudging the person in front of her.
Fosado comes back by saying, "Call ICE. I’m a U.S. citizen, war veteran, baby girl. War veteran, two wars. ICE is not going to do nothing to me."
Kobylarczyk takes a brief swipe at Fosado’s phone and smirks, then the exchange ends.
Aftermath and Reactions
According to reports, ManpowerGroup issued the following statement:
"As soon as we became aware of this video, the individual was placed on immediate leave and we began an investigation. As a result of this process, the employee is no longer with the organization. We remain committed to maintaining a culture grounded in respect, integrity, and accountability."
Fosado told the Journal Sentinel he’s a Los Angeles resident who was on a business trip to Chicago and went up to Milwaukee to see the Dodgers play the Brewers in the NLCS. He also told the Journal Sentinel that Kobylarczyk reported him to stadium security after the incident, and he was escorted out of the building.
Fosado, a U.S. citizen of Mexican descent, said he served in the U.S. Navy from 2001 to 2005, the Journal Sentinel reports, signing up for the military after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and subsequently serving in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Conclusion
The incident highlights the importance of respecting all fans, regardless of their background or team affiliation. The swift action taken by ManpowerGroup and Make-A-Wish Wisconsin demonstrates a commitment to maintaining a culture of respect and accountability. The incident also sparks a conversation about the need for greater understanding and empathy among people from different backgrounds.
FAQs
Q: What happened during Game 2 of the NLCS?
A: A Brewers fan suggested calling ICE on a Latino Dodgers fan, which was captured on video and led to the fan losing her job.
Q: Who was the woman in the video?
A: The woman in the video was identified as Shannon Kobylarczyk.
Q: What was the response of Kobylarczyk’s employer?
A: ManpowerGroup placed Kobylarczyk on immediate leave, investigated the incident, and ultimately terminated her employment.
Q: Did Fosado think Kobylarczyk should have lost her job?
A: No, Fosado said he didn’t think the incident should have gotten her fired, stating that people should not be judged on one mistake.
