Anti-ICE Chants Interrupt AEW Wrestling Main Event in Las Vegas
On Wednesday night, a significant moment unfolded at the All Elite Wrestling (AEW) event in Las Vegas. Fans erupted into an anti-ICE chant, disrupting the AEW World Championship Eliminator Match. This powerful expression against the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement rang out just before the match commenced.
Details of the AEW Event
The AEW Dynamite main event attracted a large audience in Las Vegas. This city is notable for its diverse population, with nearly 35% identifying as Hispanic or Latino. AEW has made strides in recent years to appeal to this demographic by integrating Mexican wrestling traditions and luchadores into its events.
Key Participants
- Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF): The reigning champion, appeared visibly surprised at the chants.
- Brody King: A vocal critic of ICE, King acknowledged the crowd’s sentiment with a nod.
Brody King has actively voiced opposition to ICE leading up to this match. He recently collaborated with artists to produce t-shirts featuring the slogan “Abolish ICE,” generating nearly $59,000 for the Minnesota Rights Action Committee. These shirts portray King in a ski mask, highlighting his commitment to this cause.
Brody King’s Advocacy Against ICE
In a display of solidarity, King publicly thanked fans for their support following the t-shirt campaign. His message concluded with the strong statement, “F— ICE.” Previously, King showcased his stance against ICE during AEW’s Grand Slam Mexico and later released another fundraising t-shirt for a non-profit in California.
Looking Ahead
On Wednesday, King secured a quick victory over MJF, positioning himself for a title match against him at Grand Slam Australia on February 14. The event underscores the intersection of sports and social issues, highlighting fan engagement in critical conversations about immigration policy.
As the wrestling community continues to evolve, AEW remains at the forefront, drawing in diverse fans and addressing pressing social matters through its platform. At this event, the passion of the audience clearly illustrated their commitment to making voices heard against oppressive policies such as those enforced by ICE.
Neither AEW nor U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a statement regarding the protests as of yet.
