Washington Nationals Ban Spectator Over White Nationalist Banner Display

The Lead

The Washington Nationals have identified at least one person who will be banned from the ballpark after a banner promoting a white nationalist website was unfurled in the crowd during Sunday's game.

The Incident Details

A team spokesperson confirmed that the Nationals are coordinating with District of Columbia police on an investigation. In addition to the website, the banner included a call to "SAVE AMERICA" and "DEPORT 100+ MILLION" before it was quickly taken down.

The Nationals, who lost the game 7-3 to the Baltimore Orioles, have a "Salute to Service" during games, honoring veterans and military personnel before the fourth inning. It was then that the banner was unfurled in the upper deck of the stadium.

An usher attempted to confiscate the banner but the three individuals holding the sign pulled it back and fled, according to a team spokesperson. The individuals resisted the usher's efforts to remove the banner before fleeing.

The Team Response

"The Washington Nationals vehemently condemn discriminatory and hateful rhetoric, and we strive to make our home field a safe space for our fans," the team said in a statement.

The team's policy on banners and signs mostly requires that they be related to baseball, with some allowances for messages about the broadcasting entity or birthdays, anniversaries and "similar family-friendly greetings."

The Investigation

Jake Lang, a 6 January rioter and conservative influencer, took credit for the banner on social media. The Athletic reported that it is not clear how the banner got through security. The stadium's magnetometers are able to detect weapons but would not flag something like a nylon sign.