The Washington Nationals say they have identified and banned an attendee who unfurled a large banner promoting a white nationalist website at a home game.
The incident took place during Sunday’s home game against the Baltimore Orioles. Three people unfurled the large banner in the upper deck at Nationals Park that promoted the racist website and called for the deportation of “100+ million.”
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Per the Nationals, those three people held onto the banner and eventually fled the ballpark after an usher attempted to confiscate it. In a statement to media, the Nationals say that they have since identified one of the people and banned the individual from Nationals Park. They did not reveal the person’s identity.
“The Washington Nationals vehemently condemn discriminatory and hateful rhetoric, and we strive to make our home field a safe space for our fans,” the Nationals’ statement reads.
The incident took place during the Nationals’ “Salute to Service” segment intended to honor military personnel and veterans that they hold at each home game. As music played during that break prior to the fourth inning, the attendees unfurled their banner along the first-base line.
The Nationals say they are working with the Metropolitan Police Department to further investigate the incident.
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The Nationals’ guest conduct policy states that Nationals Park “is not a forum or place for use by the public at large for assembly and speech, for use by certain speakers or for the discussion of certain subjects.”
The policy continues in detail to address the prohibition of signs and banners that contain “derogatory matter relating to race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, age, personal appearance, familial status, familial responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, source of income, status as a victim of an intrafamily offense, place of residence or business or any other category protected by D.C. law.”
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