Supporter Solidarity Against Racism
Fire fans last night traveled down to Peoria for their US Open Cup game with the Columbus Crew, and brought with them a homemade banner intended to kickstart a campaign against racism.
The banner was paid for by fans in Section 8, painted in neutral colors to reflect the non-partisan nature of the effort.
Leaders of Section 8 Chicago, the independent supporters association for Fire fans, arranged before the game that fans of both Columbus and Chicago would go on to the field with the banner, which would then be signed by players of both teams before the game.
The Fire fans were led on to the field by a Fire employee, and then located the Crew fans they had met before the game to join them on the field. A few photos were taken on the field with the fans.
The banner reads ‘Chicago-Columbus’ at the top, and then ‘Fans Against Racism’ in English, Spanish and Polish.
Unfortunately, the supporters were then left alone on the field, and the Fire had apparently failed to inform the police that they had permission to be out there. The police then removed the fans from the field, who received no help from the Fire employee who had led them out there.
Despite this, the Fire fans then hung up the banner by the side of the field, and took more photos with fans of both teams after the game.
The Crew supporters were then given the banner to take back to Columbus. The Fire play there on July 5th, and Section 8 will take back the banner then, hopefully after having the players of the Fire and Crew sign it on the field before the game.
A first step has been taken in this campaign to kick racism out of American soccer. Follow this blog for updates on future efforts.
Tags: Anti-racism banner, Chicago Fire, Columbus Crew
June 11th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Followed the link from du Nord. Well done all around.