Singer Defies Orders, Delivers Spanish Anthem in Immigration-Tense Los Angeles

Paul Riverbank, 6/16/2025Singer performs Spanish national anthem at Dodger Stadium, defying orders amid immigration tensions.

As someone who's covered political movements for over two decades, I find the timing particularly noteworthy. Los Angeles has been gripped by immigration-related protests, with federal agents conducting widespread enforcement operations that have sent shockwaves through local communities. Against this backdrop, Nezza's decision to perform "El Pendón Estrellado" carries deeper significance than mere musical preference.

What many don't realize is that this Spanish version of "The Star-Spangled Banner" isn't some modern adaptation – it was actually commissioned by FDR's State Department in 1945. This historical detail adds a layer of legitimacy that seems to have been lost on the Dodgers staff member who attempted to redirect Nezza moments before her performance.

"I just felt like I needed to do it para mi gente," Nezza explained afterward, tears streaming down her face. The raw emotion in her follow-up TikTok video highlighted the personal stakes involved. As the daughter of naturalized citizens, her defiance wasn't just about language – it was about identity.

The Dodgers' handling of the situation reveals the delicate tightrope that major institutions walk in our politically charged environment. While they've chosen not to penalize Nezza, their relative silence on broader immigration issues stands in stark contrast to other LA sports franchises. Angel City F.C., for instance, has embraced activism with their "Immigrant City Football Club" messaging.

Perhaps most telling was utility player Kiké Hernández breaking ranks to voice solidarity with protesters on Instagram. His statement that "ALL people deserve to be treated with respect, dignity and human rights" cuts through the corporate caution to address the human element of the crisis.

In a city where Latino culture is woven deeply into the social fabric, Nezza's musical protest resonates beyond the baseball diamond. It forces us to confront uncomfortable questions about institutional protocols, cultural expression, and what it truly means to be American in 2024.

The deployment of 700 Marines to Los Angeles underscores the gravity of the situation. Yet amidst this tension, a young singer's decision to perform our national anthem in Spanish – a version officially sanctioned nearly 80 years ago – reminds us that patriotism knows no single language.

The intersection of culture, protest, and patriotism played out in an unexpected way at Dodger Stadium last Saturday, when singer Vanessa "Nezza" Hernández chose to deliver the national anthem in Spanish – despite explicit instructions not to do so.As someone who's covered political movements for over two decades, I find the timing particularly noteworthy. Los Angeles has been gripped by immigration-related protests, with federal agents conducting widespread enforcement operations that have sent shockwaves through local communities. Against this backdrop, Nezza's decision to perform "El Pendón Estrellado" carries deeper significance than mere musical preference.What many don't realize is that this Spanish version of "The Star-Spangled Banner" isn't some modern adaptation – it was actually commissioned by FDR's State Department in 1945. This historical detail adds a layer of legitimacy that seems to have been lost on the Dodgers staff member who attempted to redirect Nezza moments before her performance."I just felt like I needed to do it para mi gente," Nezza explained afterward, tears streaming down her face. The raw emotion in her follow-up TikTok video highlighted the personal stakes involved. As the daughter of naturalized citizens, her defiance wasn't just about language – it was about identity.The Dodgers' handling of the situation reveals the delicate tightrope that major institutions walk in our politically charged environment. While they've chosen not to penalize Nezza, their relative silence on broader immigration issues stands in stark contrast to other LA sports franchises. Angel City F.C., for instance, has embraced activism with their "Immigrant City Football Club" messaging.Perhaps most telling was utility player Kiké Hernández breaking ranks to voice solidarity with protesters on Instagram. His statement that "ALL people deserve to be treated with respect, dignity and human rights" cuts through the corporate caution to address the human element of the crisis.In a city where Latino culture is woven deeply into the social fabric, Nezza's musical protest resonates beyond the baseball diamond. It forces us to confront uncomfortable questions about institutional protocols, cultural expression, and what it truly means to be American in 2024.The deployment of 700 Marines to Los Angeles underscores the gravity of the situation. Yet amidst this tension, a young singer's decision to perform our national anthem in Spanish – a version officially sanctioned nearly 80 years ago – reminds us that patriotism knows no single language.