Introduction to the Incident
Los Angeles is home to a reported 1.8 million Spanish-speaking residents, but rarely do they hear the national anthem sung in that language. On Saturday night at Dodger Stadium, with 51,548 fans on their feet and television cameras trained on the field, Vanessa Hernández stood behind home plate and sang the national anthem, which is traditionally sung before every sporting event in the United States. Only this time, it was different.
The Act of Defiance
Known to fans by the stage name, Nezza, the Dominican-American singer took the mic at Dodger Stadium and performed “El Pendón Estrellado,” the official Spanish-language version of the U.S. National Anthem — apparently against the wishes of the Los Angeles Dodgers. It was a moment as bold as it was beautiful, a protest wrapped in melody, echoing far beyond the confines of the ballpark. The Dodgers told her not to. She decided to do it anyway.
Background and Motivation
Wearing a shirt adorned with the flag of her family’s homeland, Hernández’s voice quivered with emotion as she reached the final line, her eyes welling with tears. But her defiance was clear. It was for her people — para mi gente — a stand against a system that, as she put it, is “ripping families apart” amid a wave of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids that have sent fear cascading through Latino communities in Los Angeles since June 6.
Reaction to the Performance
As she later shared on her TikTok, a Dodgers staff member had explicitly told her, “We are going to do the song in English today.” Hernández’s response wasn’t loud or confrontational. It was courageous. She let her voice do the talking. And it reverberated like a thunderclap. While Nezza was turning the anthem into an act of protest, many of the fans in attendance didn’t know what to think. Some clapped and cheered, others stood with their mouths agape. Others turned to social media to let the world know what was happening, and Nezza’s decision was met with mixed reviews.
Public Response
“These people are evil,” wrote one user about Nezza’s act of protest. “They should’ve cut off her mic and apologized to their audience. This kind of inaction, might push away a lot of Dodger fans,” wrote another. “Has her legal status been checked? DEPORT HER!,” wrote someone else. But the reviews weren’t all negative. Many people applauded Nezza’s courage and bravery. “Her courage is palpable. So proud of her,” wrote one user on X. “I’m obsessed with her! That was beautiful,” wrote another. “Awesome,” said a user, summarizing the performance in one word.
Context of the ICE Raids
The tension that’s gripped Los Angeles over the past ten days has reached a boiling point. ICE raids — ordered by the Trump administration in the name of “public safety” — have been tearing through neighborhoods, triggering mass protests and national outrage. U.S. Marines deployed in Boyle Heights. National Guard units in East L.A. Helicopters circling over Pico-Union. Even California’s highest officials are caught in the chaos. Senator Alex Padilla was arrested after a fiery confrontation with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Governor Gavin Newsom has pleaded for federal forces to back down. Mayor Karen Bass has called the raids “a humanitarian disaster.” A federal judge on Friday ruled that President Trump’s move to federalize the California National Guard was illegal — but enforcement of that ruling has been paused pending appeal.
The Dodgers’ Response
The Dodgers didn’t issue a statement. They didn’t comment on Nezza’s protest. In fact, they tried to shut it down before it even happened. But as her voice rose over the stadium, backed by the echo of history — Roosevelt’s 1945 commissioning of “El Pendón Estrellado” — a message broke through. This wasn’t about rebellion. It was about belonging. And no one embodied that better than Hernández. “My parents are immigrants,” she said later. “They’ve been citizens my whole life at this point, but I just can’t imagine them being ripped away from me. Not now. Not when I was a kid. Never.”
Player Reactions
The franchise’s lone public-facing voices came from individual players. Veteran utility man Kiké Hernández wrote on Instagram, “I’m saddened and infuriated. Our community is being violated, profiled, abused and ripped apart.” Adrián González, the beloved former first baseman and now broadcaster, called the raids “unconstitutional” and demanded the government stop the separation of families. Manager Dave Roberts, when asked for comment Friday, said, “Honestly, I don’t know enough,” then added that it was “unsettling for everyone.” Maybe now, he knows a little more.
Conclusion
Saturday night wasn’t just a baseball game. It was a cultural fault line. It was the moment when a singer, standing on hallowed ground in the city of immigrants, reminded Los Angeles — and America — what the anthem is supposed to mean. “El Pendón Estrellado” isn’t a translation. It’s a reflection. A reminder that the American dream has never been limited to one language. And for one unforgettable night, under the lights at Dodger Stadium, that dream sang in Spanish.
FAQs
- Q: Why did Nezza sing the national anthem in Spanish at Dodger Stadium?
A: Nezza sang the national anthem in Spanish as an act of defiance to protest ICE raids in Los Angeles. - Q: What was the reaction to Nezza’s performance?
A: The reaction was mixed, with some fans clapping and cheering, while others were negative and critical. - Q: Have the Dodgers commented on the incident?
A: The Dodgers have not issued a statement regarding Nezza’s protest. - Q: What do the ICE raids have to do with the incident?
A: The ICE raids have been a source of tension and fear in Latino communities in Los Angeles, and Nezza’s performance was a protest against these raids. - Q: Will Nezza be allowed to perform at Dodger Stadium again?
A: Although Nezza joked that she would never be allowed in the stadium again, there has been no official statement from the Dodgers regarding her future performances.
