The World Cup is one of the biggest sports events in the world. 48 countries are competing for one trophy, to show who is the best country when it comes to soccer (or football, as people from the United States are constantly reminded of through gritted teeth). I am Ghanaian-American, so I have a personal investment in seeing the land of my parents be the first African team to make it to the finals.
This could have been a wonderful experience for the United States to have a genuine cultural exchange with all the different visitors from competing countries come to their cities and share with one another. Instead, we find ourselves mired by the draconian anti-immigrant policies of the Trump Regime and the ever present danger of ICE. Even though the World Cup will not take place in any cities in Wisconsin, (the closest will be Kansas City) we still want you to be prepared by knowing your rights, what the risks are and what has been going on during this World Cup.
How Anti-Immigrant Policies Have Shaped the World Cup
The prospect of people from all over the world coming to different cities would excite most people. There would be the opportunity to learn about new dances, new music, new food, all the while enjoying a fun game. But the rollout from FIFA, the organizing body behind the World Cup, has exposed the inherent biases towards certain players and people from their country, with FIFA doing little to help curb those biases.
While many abroad have enjoyed traveling to the US for the World Cup, others, particularly Black and brown people, have been caught in the crosshairs of Trump’s cruel, racist anti-immigrant agenda. People like Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry into the United States – and when asked to provide a reason –the US Border and Customs Protection only cited, “vetting concerns,”
When it comes to the players, many of them have been subjected to humiliating and invasive searches. If this is what highly paid players and referees have been subjected to, who have many privileges and play as representatives of their country, then it is safe to say that regular people such as you and I and our loved ones may be confronted by the discriminatory practices of ICE agents. If you do attend a game, make sure to learn what your rights are and how to use them..
Know Your Rights
One of the most important things to remember when you are approached or stopped by ICE or law enforcement agents is to remain calm. It sounds cliche and is easier said than done, especially when you are in a potentially stressful and contentious situation. But it is paramount to refrain from running, resisting or obstructing law enforcement.. Keep in mind that you have the right to remain silent and you do not have to say anything about your immigration or citizen status with police and with ICE agents. You still have rights and you have the right to exercise them.
Another part of this that must be highlighted is that you are allowed to film and take photos of law enforcement officers doing their public duties. You are protected under the First Amendment. This protection extends to ICE agents, police, FBI, National Guard troops and any other government officials. Of course, there can be some risks attached to this as well, so for more information about those risks and other matters that concern your rights at World Cup games and beyond with law enforcement, please click on this link here to learn more.
Culture Has A Role to Play in Our Politics
The intersection of culture and social justice have long played an important role in our movements. It can be with racial justice and pop culture, strengthening democracy and art, and in other ways that may seem very disparate and hard to understand.
But sports has always been connected with matters of social justice and advocacy. Players like former Milwaukee Buck Giannis Antetokounmpo and his teammates protested racial injustice, even though some people probably hoped that they would just “shut up and dribble,” The World Cup is no different. A massive, global event such as this was definitely going to intersect with the current political dynamics of the country – politics impacts art, culture, music and sports and vice versa.
Enjoy the games, stay vigilant and always remember: you have rights and we will continue to fight for you.