Nezza sings national anthem in Spanish at Dodgers as protest against immigration raids

 

Singer Nezza, whose full name is Vanessa Hernández, performed the U.S. national anthem in Spanish at a recent Dodgers game as a protest against immigration raids. This act of defiance occurred despite her claiming that Dodgers officials had requested she sing it in English

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Nezza's performance, which used the official Spanish-language version of the anthem "El Pendón Estrellado" (commissioned in 1945 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt), quickly sparked widespread discussion and mixed reactions. While some criticized her for her choice of language and perceived politicization of the event, others lauded her courage and solidarity with immigrant communities, especially in light of recent intensified immigration enforcement actions in Los Angeles

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Nezza explained her decision on TikTok, stating she felt compelled to perform in Spanish "para mi gente" (for my people) and expressed her fear that immigrant families, including her own, could be "ripped away." She wore a Dominican Republic shirt during her performance, further highlighting her heritage

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The Dodgers organization has largely remained silent on the incident, though manager Dave Roberts commented that the unrest surrounding immigration was "unsettling for everyone." Dodgers player Kiké Hernández, however, publicly voiced his support for immigrant rights and condemned the raids.

Despite her initial concern that she might not be allowed back at Dodger Stadium, reports indicate she was not removed from the venue and is not expected to be banned from future appearances. Her performance has underscored the ongoing intersection of sports, social identity, and political expression in the current climate.