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Topline
After a video circulated on social media inaccurately suggested there was a “mostly empty” turnout for the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Pride Night on Friday—prompting cheers among right-wing critics of the event that honored the controversial Sisters of Perpetual indulgence—the team ended up reporting an above-average turnout.
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Key Facts
The Dodgers recorded an attendance of 49,074, slightly higher than its league-leading average of 47,800.
A video posted by a conservative writer to Twitter that received more than four million views, 30,000 likes and over 7,000 retweets claimed the Sisters were honored to a “mostly empty audience.”
More than 2,000 people protested the Dodger’s decision to honor the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence with a “Community Hero Award,” including a “prayerful procession” outside Dodger Stadium, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Chief Critic
Jack Posobiec, a far-right activist, responded to the video suggesting protestors had “thousands of people outside” while the Dodgers had “no one inside” the stadium. Ben Domenech, a Fox News contributor, also responded: “The Dodgers sold Christians out… for this?”
Contra
Actor Kevin T. Williams said the game’s was “like every other night,” suggesting it was sold out and that only one-third of seats were empty. Attorney Ron Filipkowski suggested the empty seats shown in the video are a result of protestors blocking access to Dodger Stadium.
Crucial Quote
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts responded to the backlash on Friday, suggesting, “We’re not always going to agree with everyone’s decisions in life,” before adding he thinks “we should still all be able to coexist.”
Tangent
Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw announced last month the franchise would host a “Christian Faith and Family Day” on July 30. Kershaw said the announcement was prompted by the Dodgers’ decision to reinvite the Sisters, adding he believed the group inappropriately made fun of Christianity. The Dodgers previously hosted the event in 2019.
Surprising Fact
Among those protesting the Dodgers’ Pride Night was former Los Angeles County sheriff Alex Villanueva, a Democrat, who said he turned down tickets behind home plate in order to “stand on principle,” according to the Los Angeles Times.
Key Background
The Dodgers at first rescinded its invitation to the Los Angeles chapter of The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence for its 10th annual Pride Night, citing “strong feelings of people who have been offended by the Sisters’ inclusion.” The Sisters—launched in San Francisco in 1979—were accused of spreading “anti-Catholic hate,” while Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and others called for the group to be removed from the event. The Dodgers’ decision to remove the Sisters also sparked backlash from other LGBTQ groups, including L.A. Pride, which said it would no longer participate in the Dodgers’ event. The Dodgers, in its decision to reinvite the Sisters, pledged to “work with our LGBTQ+ partners to better educate ourselves.”
Further Reading
Dodgers Face Backlash After Rescinding Pride Night Invitation (New York Times)
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I cover breaking news for Forbes. Before Forbes, I worked as a reporter for USA Today in Asheville and Black Mountain, North Carolina.
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