A white nationalist website banner was unfurled during a Nationals game in the upper deck, calling for “SAVE AMERICA” and “DEPORT 100+ MILLION.” The banner was quickly taken down after an usher attempted to confiscate it, but the three people holding it resisted and fled. The Nationals condemned discriminatory and hateful rhetoric and said they are coordinating with District of Columbia police on an investigation, with at least one person identified for a ban from the ballpark. The team’s banner and sign policy generally requires baseball-related content, with limited allowances for broadcasting messages and family-friendly greetings. It was not clear how the banner passed security, since magnetometers detect weapons but may not flag a nylon sign.
"The Washington Nationals have identified at least one person who will be banned from the ballpark after a banner promoting a white nationalist website was unfurled in the crowd during Sunday's game. A team spokesperson also said the Nationals are coordinating with District of Columbia police on an investigation. In addition to the website, the banner included a call to SAVE AMERICA and DEPORT 100+ MILLION before it was quickly taken down."
"It was then that the banner was unfurled in the upper deck of the stadium. An usher attempted to confiscate the banner but the three individuals holding the sign pulled it back and fled, according to a team spokesperson. The individuals resisted the usher's efforts to remove the banner before fleeing."
"The Nationals, who lost the game 7-3 to the Baltimore Orioles, have a Salute to Service during games, honoring veterans and military personnel before the fourth inning. The Washington Nationals vehemently condemn discriminatory and hateful rhetoric, and we strive to make our home field a safe space for our fans, the team said in a statement."
"The team's policy on banners and signs mostly requires that they be related to baseball, with some allowances for messages about the broadcasting entity or birthdays, anniversaries and similar family-friendly greetings. Jake Lang, a 6 January rioter and conservative influencer, took credit for the banner on social media. The Athletic reported that it is not clear how the banner got through security. The stadium's magnetometers are able to detect weapons but would not flag something like a nylon sign."
Read at www.theguardian.com
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