The United States has suffered 212 mass shootings in 2022 alone. Over the past two weeks we have experienced a racially motivated attack on a grocery store servicing a predominantly Black neighborhood in Buffalo, New York and an 18-year old gunman taking the lives of two teachers and 19 students at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. Of those 212 mass shootings, 27 have happened on a school campus, making gun violence the leading cause of child death in the US. Guns have been deeply ingrained in American life and the right to own a firearm has been indoctrinated into the Constitution via the Second Amendment. However, an overwhelming majority of Americans are in favour of stricter gun laws, yet held captive to archaic beliefs by an extremist conservative minority. So how have our elected leaders and public officials of the highest form responded? Once again with empty words and prayers. Yet NWSL athletes answer the call.
Over the weekend many NWSL teams took to the pitch in protest. Many teams wore orange shirts, symbolic of anti-gun violence, for their perspective walkouts and starting 11 photos. Angel City FC and Gotham FC met in a East Coast meets West Coast matchup. With both sides of the nation tuned into the highly anticipated game, the teams from Los Angeles and New York utilised the match as a moment to honour the lives lost while simultaneously creating a call to action. Both teams gathered at the center of the pitch, and opposing players and fans unified in a deeply mournful moment of silence. Supporter Groups, many also dressed in orange, held up signs displaying the names and ages of lives lost to the gun violence that occurred at Robb Elementary School on May 24th, along with names of politicians who are currently seeking reelection and are actively accepting campaign contributions from the National Rifle Association.
Hosted by ACFC, the team ensured that everyone was aware of the reasoning behind this moment and promoted fan involvement that spanned beyond silence and posters. Fans were directed to a QR code that detailed further information and resources on how to aid in ending the rapidly increasing gun violence epidemic. Once again we are witnessing the intrinsic bond of NWSL teams and their fans. Ready and willing to band together and force action. These athletes are entering a political arena that our elected officials have been too feeble to address.
ACFC fell to Gotham FC 0-1, in a loss that frustrated ACFC’s fans in the stadium and at home alike. Angel City statistically outplayed Gotham, creating more opportunities and turnovers. However, Gotham FC was able to capitalize on a moment of hesitation by Angel City’s goalkeeper DiDi Haračić and defensive line when Gotham forward Ifeoma Onumonu scored in the fifty-seventh minute. Angel City’s next match against Portland Thorns takes place at Providence Park on June 3rd. Gotham meets the Washington Spirit June 4th at the Red Bull Arena.
Written by Haley Becerra
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