Singer Nezza made a statement when she sang the Spanish-language version of the National Anthem at the Los Angeles Dodgers game on June 14. The 32-year-old, whose full name is Vanessa Hernández, performed the anthem, titled “El Pendón Estrellado” before the Dodgers took on rival San Francisco Giants. The performance came amid protests in downtown Los Angeles for the No Kings marches, as well as protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in Los Angeles this month. Following the performance, Nezza claimed the Dodgers told her not to sing the anthem in Spanish beforehand. In a TikTok video, Nezza wrote, “Watch the Dodgers tell me I can’t sing the Spanish ‘Star Spangled Banner’ that Roosevelt literally commissioned in 1945.” Nezza was also seen wearing a t-shirt in honor of the Dominican Republic. “We are going to do the song in English today,” an unidentified person tells Nezza in the video. “I’m not sure if that wasn’t relayed.” The video then cuts to Nezza singing the song in Spanish for the crowd. She wrote over it, “So I did it anyway.” In a follow-up video, Nezza gave more context for her decision. “I'm still very shooken up and emotional,” she said. “. . . I just got home from singing the national anthem in Spanish at the Dodgers game, and it is the official Star Spangled Banner in Spanish.” She explained that the Spanish lyrics were commissioned in 1945 by the U.S. State Department as a part of President Franklin Roosevelt's Good Neighbor Policy to “foster a better relationship with Latin America.” The new lyrics were ultimately done by Clotilde Arias, a Peruvian-American composer. “Because of this, I didn't think I would be met with any sort of like, no, especially because we're in LA and with everything happening,” she said, referring to the anti-ICE protests in the city. “And I've sung the national anthem many times in my life, but there was today out of all days, I could not,” she said. “I’m sorry. Yeah, I just could not believe when she walked in and told me no. But I just felt like I needed to do it. Para mi gente.” Nezza said it was “out of love” and “good energy.” She added, “I'm proud of myself for doing that today because my parents are immigrants.” She said they’ve been citizens for decades, “but I just can't imagine them being ripped away from me, even at this age, let alone as a little kid.” She thanked her followers for the messages and added, “Safe to say I’m never allowed in that stadium ever again.” The Dodgers did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment. A team official told the Los Angeles Times that there were no consequences following the performance and Nezza would be welcome back at the stadium in the future. Nezza, whose heritage is Colombian and Dominican, told PEOPLE in 2021 about her music career and heritage, "I'm so proud to be Latinx. We're extremely passionate and lively human beings. I want to spread love and give people a performance they'll never forget." Though the Dodgers as an organization have not spoken about the I.C.E. raids in the city, on June 14, shortstop Kike Hernández made an emotional Instagram post about it. The Puerto Rican star, 33, wrote, “I may not be Born & Raised, but this city adopted me as one of their own. I am saddened and infuriated by what’s happening in our country and our city. Los Angeles and Dodger fans have welcomed me, supported me and shown me nothing but kindness and love. This is my second home. And I cannot stand to see our community being violated, profiled, abused and ripped apart. ALL people deserve to be treated with respect, dignity and human rights. #CityOfImmigrants.” Los Angeles soccer team Angel City F.C. also spoke out about the ICE raids. At their June 14 game, the club gave fans shirts that read Immigrant City Football Club, and players also wore the shirts ahead of the match.