‘I need to stand up.’ Anti-Trump protests outside the Mexico-Dominican Republic game Waving Mexican flags and signs criticizing President Trump, about 300 people overtook sidewalks in Inglewood on Saturday afternoon in the hours leading up to the soccer game between the Mexican and Dominican Republic national teams. Esmeralda Sanchez, who was not attending the game at SoFi Stadium, said she came to the rally to support family members and friends who are not in the country legally. “We are the voice that our parents and the older generation couldn’t be today,” Sanchez said over the sound of horns and cheers.

The parking lot outside the stadium felt relatively subdued, with some fans making carne asada on portable grills and others waving Mexican flags. Emilio Estrada and Ashley Ruiz from Bakersfield posed for a photo in front of the lake by the stadium, saying their parents had been fretting about their visit to L.A. “My mom kept calling me as we drove down,” Estrada said. Jesse Murillo of Orange County said attending the game to support the Mexican national team felt like a clear sign of protest against the federal government.

“We’re not afraid to come out here and show our colors,” he said. “No matter what, our people have always found a way to be here.” His friend Richard Barrera said many people were afraid because so much information, and misinformation, is ricocheting around social media. “So many people are living in fear and that seems unfair, because you see so much online and then it turns out ICE isn’t there,” Barrera said.

Across the street from the stadium, Inglewood native Jorge Gomez said he had been nervous about attending any protests because of the immigration raids playing out across Southern California. “I’ve been trying to be more wary, be more careful,” he said. “I shouldn’t be out here, but I am — because deep down inside is something that keeps telling me that this is wrong and I need to stand up.”