On May 10, 2025, La Brigada De Oro, an official supporters group for Nashville SC, canceled its pregame tailgate and organized a boycott of the Major League Soccer match against Charlotte FC at GEODIS Park. This action was in protest of recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Tennessee, which began on May 3 and resulted in 103 individuals being detained for alleged immigration violations. During the match, which Nashville SC won 2-1, fans displayed banners reading "We are not all here" in both English and Spanish, expressing solidarity with the affected immigrant community.

The boycott and in-game demonstrations by La Brigada De Oro highlight the intersection of sports and social activism, drawing attention to the broader implications of immigration enforcement actions on local communities. This event underscores the role of sports organizations and their supporters in advocating for social justice and immigrant rights.

Starting May 3, 2025, ICE, in collaboration with the Tennessee Highway Patrol, conducted 588 traffic stops across Tennessee, leading to the detention of 103 individuals for alleged immigration violations. These operations have significantly impacted Nashville's immigrant community, which comprises approximately 9% of the metropolitan area's 2 million residents.

In response to these operations, La Brigada De Oro announced the cancellation of their pregame tailgate and organized a boycott of the match against Charlotte FC. In a statement, the group expressed solidarity with affected families, stating, "During difficult times, family stands together—when one of us is affected, we all are. And at this moment, it doesn't feel prudent to celebrate, cheer, and party while so many families within our community are being separated and destroyed."

During the match, fans displayed banners reading "We are not all here" in both English and Spanish, signaling their support for those impacted by the ICE operations. Another supporters group, The Roadies, also expressed their stance, stating, "It's heartbreaking what is happening to the Latino and immigrant communities here in Nashville, and we, The Roadies, do not tolerate hate in any form."

Nashville SC acknowledged the display of banners during the match, stating that, in accordance with Major League Soccer policy, all banners and signs in the supporters' section are inspected to ensure compliance with league rules. The banners in question were reviewed by venue security staff and permitted to remain in place.

Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell condemned the ICE operations, citing "deep community harm." He clarified that Metro Nashville Police were not involved in the approximately 150 traffic stops conducted. In response to rising tensions, O’Connell announced the launch of the Belonging Fund, designed to support affected immigrant families by providing resources for housing, food, child care, and transportation.

This is not the first instance of ICE operations leading to significant community response in Tennessee. In April 2018, a large-scale ICE raid at Southeastern Provisions, a meatpacking plant in Grainger County, resulted in the detention of 97 individuals. The raid led to widespread protests and highlighted the profound impact of immigration enforcement actions on local communities.

The recent ICE operations and the subsequent boycott by La Brigada De Oro underscore the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in the United States. The actions taken by the supporters group highlight the role of community organizations in advocating for immigrant rights and the broader societal impact of immigration policies. The solidarity displayed by fans during the match reflects a growing awareness and activism within local communities regarding immigration issues.

The boycott and demonstrations by La Brigada De Oro serve as a poignant reminder of the intersection between sports and social issues. As immigration enforcement actions continue to affect communities nationwide, the response from Nashville SC supporters underscores the power of collective action and the importance of standing in solidarity with vulnerable populations.