Thread by @timbersarmy

#AUnitedFront The fight with MLS over the inclusion of the word “political” in the Code of Conduct has drawn a lot of attention. While we’ve recently focused on the banning of the Iron Front symbol, in reality the issue is much larger and potentially more insidious. (thread)

#AUnitedFront The word “political” is inherently arbitrary, and our fear has always been it will be used to ban other ideas — especially in a league where some clubs have refused to acknowledge Pride nights and where calling for an end to gun violence can be deemed “political.”

#AUnitedFront We wanted to take an opportunity to reflect on some of our work over the past few years. How many of these could potentially be considered “political” under today’s intepretation of the Code of Conduct?

#AUnitedFront Anti Racism Social Club

#AUnitedFront Sometimes Anti-Social Always Anti-Racist

#AUnitedFront An executive order in January 2017 banned US entry for 90 days by citizens from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen and indefinitely halted the entry of refugees from Syria. This March 2017 front banner reads "Spread The Love" in Arabic.

#AUnitedFront Not all MLS clubs are willing to celebrate Pride Nights. Here is one of our displays. "Love Is a Human Experience Not a Political Statement/Love Conquers Fear"

#AUnitedFront Executive orders in January 2017 called for punishing sanctuary cities and for the immediate construction of a border wall. This "Show Racism The Red Card" banner from 2017 also includes "Hoy por ti, y mañana por mí" (Today for you & tomorrow for me").

#AUnitedFront The main display included Portlandia, but with Lady Liberty's crown and torch, in a further call to welcome immigrants and refugees.

#AUnitedFront Similarly, an April 2017 game v. the Whitecaps included the same hope displayed on the Peace Arch at the US-Canada border: "May These Gates Never Be Closed."

#AUnitedFront In May 2017, a knife-wielding man threatened two teens, one wearing a hijab, with racist & anti-Muslim slurs. When passengers intervened, the man murdered two men & injured a third. This June 2017 banner included words from a poem penned by a survivor of the attack.

#AUnitedFront This banner recalls The Specials lyrics to "Racist Friend" (note the iron front flag flying without incident off to the side)

#AUnitedFront The iron front flag was displayed without incident in 2018 as well

#AUnitedFront Unfortunately, this away display in 2019 was deemed too close to the iron front image after it was shown in Vancouver

We've long had displays in the stands that are explicitly inclusive, anti-racist, anti-homophobic, and anti-fascist. This is who we are as a group. The iron front is just one more in a long string of such displays. That's why we will always be #AUnitedFront.