Anti-Nazi banner removed from Phoenix Rising match vs. Sacramento Republic

[JonLP24]

The Phoenix Rising soccer team found itself in the middle of the nation's racism discussion over the weekend.

On Saturday, the team asked for a banner with a crossed-out Swastika to be removed from its match against Sacramento Republic.

Los Bandidos, a group that supports the club, had the banner to help "stop racism." Members of the club walked out of the match after the banner was removed.

Link to tweet

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The Rising issued the following statement after the incident Saturday:

"Last night, in order to comply with USL stadium regulations and Phoenix Rising Football Club safety policies, our front office asked a Supporters' Group, Los Bandidos, to remove a banner displaying a crossed-out Swastika. Although the purpose of the banner was to "Stop Racism," which is permitted as a message in our stadium, baiting artwork, such as a crossed-out Swastika, invites the most disgusting element in our society to deliver a thugglish rejoinder which has no place in our stadium.

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/heat-index/2017/08/28/phoenix-rising-fc-anti-nazi-banner-removed-z/608549001/

[muriel_volestrangler]

1. So saying "stop racism" doesn't cause racists to be racist, but "no Nazis" causes Nazis to be Nazi?

This is stupid. There are more racists to worry about in the USA than actual Nazis. "No Nazis" is the most uncontroversial part of the banner.