When Black folks fought for integration during the Civil Rights Movement, they turned their passion for sports into a powerful tool of nonviolent protest. They boycotted games and teams, and newspapers like the Black press kept fans informed by writing about these protests.
Now, in 2018, fans are still using their love for sports to fight for social change. From helping to bring down Jose Mourinho at Manchester United to leading marches against their club’s owners at Chelsea, and even urging their clubs to sell the ownership stake in the business, fan protest stories remind us that fan activism isn’t just a passing fad.
Thousands of LA Galaxy fans walked out of Dignity Health Sports Park during the team’s home game against Vancouver to protest their club’s silence about immigration raids in Southern California. Leaders of the Angel City Brigade, Galaxians and LA Riot Squad say there’s not a day that goes by without them thinking about the raids and their impact on Latino communities.
As fans protest, it’s important that journalists report on their actions in a fair and accurate way. This means including basic information such as who organized and participated in the protest, as well as getting quotes from people involved in the demonstration. It’s also helpful to provide context for the issue being addressed and show why the protest is important. Finally, it’s a good idea to include photos and video of the action. While these tips are simple, they’ll help ensure that news coverage of fan protests is fair and accurate.
