Videos Show Massive Crowd of Protesters at Dodgers Pride Night

Christian and Catholic protesters gathered outside Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, Friday night ahead of the Dodgers' Pride Night event set to include an appearance by LGBTQ+ activist group Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.

The L.A. Dodgers found themselves in a whirlwind of backlash last month after rescinding, and subsequently re-inviting, the group to receive a community award during its 10th annual Pride event. The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence describes itself as an "order of queer and trans nuns" promoting human rights, community service and spiritual enlightenment.

But critics of the group argue that the "order" mocks the Christian faith. Members of the nonprofit often dress like nuns and, according to its website, "use humor and irreverent wit to expose the forces of bigotry, complacency and guilt that chain the human spirit."

Ahead of the Dodgers' game against the San Francisco Giants Friday night, several protesters gathered in Parking Lot 13 outside the stadium in defiance of the LGBTQ+ group's scheduled appearance. According to a tweet from Los Angeles Times reporter Andrew Campa, the demonstration was organized by the nonprofit Catholics for Catholics.

"Parking lot is filling up for the Catholics for Catholics protest outside Dodger Stadium regarding the Sisters of Indulgence receiving a Community Heroes Award," Campa wrote alongside a video of the protest forming.

In another video posted to Twitter by Turning Point USA reporter Savanah Hernandez, demonstrators are shown holding signs that read "Long live Christ the King" and repeating a prayer being led by someone on stage.

The group eventually moved toward the ballpark, temporarily blocking an entryway into the stadium at Gate A. Another video posted by Campa shows protesters occupying the road at Stadium Way and Vin Scully Avenue while participants flashed signs and repeatedly chanted, "Jesus." Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers are also seen lined up on motorcycles underneath the signs for Gate A. Two police cars are also shown in the 15-second clip.

The protest occurred a few hours after Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gomez used part of Friday's afternoon Mass at the archdiocese to criticize the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.

"Religious freedom and respect for the beliefs of others are hallmarks of the nation," Gomez said during the service, according to a report from the Los Angeles Times. "When God is insulted, when the beliefs of many of our neighbors are ridiculed, it diminishes all of us."

Newsweek has reached out to the LAPD via email for more information.

Friday's protest comes as tensions heighten across the nation on LGBTQ+ issues, including the use of public spaces for drag queen events and Pride celebrations. Several companies have also faced backlash in recent months as conservatives called for boycotts over Pride marketing campaigns.

After the Dodgers announced that the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence were invited back for Friday's event, conservative Florida Senator Marco Rubio wrote a letter to Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred, asking if Manfred believed the Dodgers were "being 'inclusive and welcoming to everyone' by giving an award to a group of gay and transgender drag performers that intentionally mocks and degrades Christians."