Thanks for both taking leadership on this issue and for being transparent with each of us.

Yesterday's protest made the Chicago Tribune's account of the game, but not as many of you would have hoped for:

--

A crowd of 19,742 was on hand, although the atmosphere hardly reflected the attendance in the first half. The Fire's notoriously raucous supporters group, Section 8, was relatively quiet in the first 45 minutes. The silence was part of a protest against Monterrey Security, which Section 8 is accusing of racist behavior toward Hispanic fans.

As had been predetermined, Section 8 spent the second half standing and cheering as it usually does.

"The fans are [garbage]," said an annoyed Blanco, who blames fans for friction with security. "They get drunk and become insulting. It's the same way in Mexico. I don't think security has anything to do with it."

--
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/cs-17-fire-chicagoaug17,0,6555911.story

The Sun Times didn't mention anything.

I know many of you will brush off Blanco's comment and cite his relationship with Gaytan (as reference above in the FAQ), but Blanco's words will resonate far louder than any of yours. He will be seen as impartial to the average fan.

I'm trying to be impartial here, too. Remember, I'm posting anonymously. Several of my prior comments should prove that.

What I'm going to be interested in following these upcoming weeks are these "escalating series of protest actions" promised in the final point. I really have no competing interests at hand, since I'm certain my job is guaranteed whether or not your demands are met.

Keep us updated on the negotations. Just don't be shocked if Toyota Park officials continue to dismiss your demands as outlandish -- particularly involving the removal of Monterrey Security from Section 8. Hell, even replacing certain members with those more capable of interating with fans.

(Repeating the comment in the other thread only because it may be here that the conversation will continue...)

I suppose I'll join the anonymous employees commenting here.

"My advice is not to act like you're a legitimate organization by attempting to impose "non negotiable" terms. Everyone at Monterrey is probably laughing at this."

I think you're on with some of your other comments, but I'm interested in what you mean by this. What exactly about a Illinois state-registered nonprofit, with an elected representative Board of Directors, transacting business on three continents, who meets and negotiates regularly with both the Chicago Fire and Toyota Park and has built relationships with their sponsors, is not legitimate?

Monterrey can laugh all they want, and people in my organization can dismiss their claims - but they are certainly are legitimate and organized.

"Blanco's words will resonate far louder than any of yours. He will be seen as impartial to the average fan"

Maybe that's right -- but how does being "drunk" mean racial insults are okay? That is going to be pretty transparent

"The fans are [garbage]," said an annoyed Blanco, who blames fans for friction with security. "They get drunk and become insulting. It's the same way in Mexico. I don't think security has anything to do with it."

Blanco, when I thought you couldn't put your foot in your mouth anymore you go ahead and prove me wrong once again.

Our way of supporting the Fire would be comparable to a group of little girls at a kickball game if we traveled to Veracruz for the friendly. Those guys know how to party. I wonder how he knows we are drunk all the time? I wonder if that's the reason he hasn't got a point in play since June 7th.... He is not paying attention on the field. I always wondered why he was in Section 8 with a breathalyzer.

Of course security isn't to blame, Your bodyguard told you so...which by the way owns the security company. Blanco you will find out that you have crossed a very serious line. Chicago fans have been known to be passionate about our sports. You are going to find out the hard way that calling us garbage will tarnish your image forever in this city and beyond.

Enjoy the remaining time left on your contract. Retire back in Mexico

You do not deserve to wear that badge over your heart.

"Of course security isn't to blame, Your bodyguard told you so...which by the way owns the security company. Blanco you will find out that you have crossed a very serious line. Chicago fans have been known to be passionate about our sports. You are going to find out the hard way that calling us garbage will tarnish your image forever in this city and beyond.

Enjoy the remaining time left on your contract. Retire back in Mexico

You do not deserve to wear that badge over your heart."


WELL PUT MY MAN, WELL PUT...

My husband and I were not at the game last night because of an illness in the family. I read Blanco's quote in the Tribune was offensive. If I wasn't a supporter of Section 8 before know that I am now.

Disgusted,

Mandi

I was at the D.C. game, sitting in section 115. I saw the Sector Latino banners go up, but security had taken them away before I saw what they said. What ended up going on the banners?

Fire - Stop The Racism
Fire - Paren El Racismo

Can anyone give us an update on how things stand currently. I just read Blanco's statement in yesterday's paper and I am disgusted by his statements regarding Chicago Fire fans and disappointed that the management has not distanced themselves from what he said.

I agree an update would be nice. Reading the S8 message boards, seems like a lot want to protest more than they want to fix things. There's more talk about these "escalating actions" than there is about possible solutions.

The message boards are a mess so we'll try and keep you posted here. As for the next steps, if we can coordinate it we might have another public meeting this Thursday, before the LA/Fire game. A Q&A session to get everyone up to speed and discuss the next steps.

It's tentative until we can make sure the back room is free and we'll be prepared enough in the next two days for a public session. The timing works with a 9PM CST game.

"It's tentative until we can make sure the back room is free..."

Back room of the Globe.

I can only speak for myself on this, so no one should extrapolate this comment further (for better or worse).

I know that I have/had gotten too emotionally invested in this incident and that not all of my immediate reactions are or were sound. Seldom are knee-jerk reactions correct. And what I can say is that the comments on the webboard are from a great deal of people who are also so emotionally invested in the club, team, and outcome of this situation, that many of them are still expressing themselves in ways that may not be productive. It is also important to keep in mind that of the many people that occupy Section 8, only an actual small percentage are active on the webboard. That being said,it should also be duly noted that those on the board are not those leading the delegation in reaching an amicable solution (myself included), and their comments can only be taken as an extended knee-jerk reaction, or simply people just venting their frustrations at the state of affairs.

I do agree that we need to find/reach a solution that is amicable for all involved, and my trust is in the leadership of the ISA and SL to represent our needs and requests. I would honestly recommend to anyone who is still grinding their axes to just hold up and give the FO and our leadership the time they need to hammer something out and provide us with further information, as nothing will be productive until then. From an organizational standpoint, this issue is being delt with in a fairly timely fashion. Although I know not as fast as some would prefer (again, including myself).

Here's to hoping this can be resolved properly and with respect to all involved.

Thanks to both Ben and giaco for responding. And yes, I figured giaco's explanation re: emotion was what I was reading. Trust me, it didn't go unnoticed that Ben (who I understand to be instrumental in communicating with the FO) was not the one making the types of posts I was referring to, so its nice to know the people in charge are keeping a cool head in all of this. Thanks for that, and I hope things get resolved soon. Please keep us non-S8er's updated.

I hated Blanco before he was Fire, was willing to give him a break, but he can suck a fat one now. His true colors were shown during his matches vs. USMNT, and they came back once again in backing his buddy with the Gay Tan over the ones who put bread on his table.

MS employee, your rigth Blancos comment will be louder than his fans. When loyal diehard fans say they are feeling discriminated against because they are Latino, and his response is thier drunk. What does that say. He sides with the official story, oh how far he has come from the slums. I know he is now a millionaire and he no longer sees himself as one of the oppressed, I wonder when he was coming up and he was mistreated by people what he would do. Blanco has just again shown himself to be ignorant. Now even if he doesn't believe that MS was racist, the fact that people felt they were that doesn't mean anything?? See ya Blanco...

I am very happy to read this FAQ clarifying what Section 8 is asking for as wll as the apparent willingness of the Fire to discuss. It is certainly a more moderate and reasonable expression of concerns and 'wants' of Section 8's members than when I was reading about this last week. Perhaps it is some of the emotion coming out of the issue or just a clearer communication of what has been going on all along.

I missed Section 8's participation on Saturday night and hope it returns promptly. Especially, in light of WHO will be coming to Toyota Park the next time the Fire are at home. It is an evening that all of us have been looking forward to since the scehdule was released. Hopefully, a compromise can be brokered in the short-term.

Blanco's comments are no different than the rhetoric espoused by a certain portion fo Section 8 when describing Monterrey. Attacking the coolective for the actions of the lowest indiviual. Cetainly few among us are innocent on the front of being overly intoxicated at sporting events and behaving poorly and I'm certain few security personnel are innocent of acting with too heavy a hand on ceratin occasions. Even though drunkenness does not excuse racism it does contribute to the attitudes and opinions of all involved. I am far more disappointed in Blanco's recent form than this one particular comment.

Good luck to those attempting to broker a solution so we can all get back to the task at hand of cheering on the Fire to another Championship!!

Season Ticket Holder... Alot of good points, only issue is there is no reason for racist comments or behavior, also this behavior has been ongoing not just one night...

i seen the comments that worthless cry baby Blanco in the Newspaper. i speack on behalf of myself cuz i am a SEKTOR LATINO member and i say it proudly and i wear my colors proudly. But for Temo to say we are "garbage" and "drunk" and he doesnt see any misconduct that Monterrey "Security" aka Rent A Cops than that would make him a bigger sell out to his own race. Lets face it Temo wasnt sh*t in Mexico and he DEFINATELY isnt sh*t now. MS had no right to take it to the extent they did, especially to cross the line into racial slurs. it was uncalled for and inappropriate ESPECIALLY when they are atleast twice our(S*L) age. We made our point at the DC game and we made ourselves present when SEKTOR LATINO/us started our chants and to those who stood behind us we owe much respect and we will not go quietly. as i seen it in a blog

In this torrent of ambiguity, one thing is for certain: I AM Fire ‘Til I Die. And that fact will never change. If they want to take my club, they’re going to have to pry it from my cold dead hands.

AND AGAIN THIS NEXT COMMENT I SAY CUZ THIS IS WHAT I FEEL----WE ARE SEKTOR LATINO AND NOTHIN AND NO ONE I REPEAT NO ONE CANT EVER CHANGE THAT

Trying to play the devils advocate here, But, I was never a big Blanco fan but thats not my point. Everybody around me was worshipping his feet when he came here. Articles were written about how much of a god guy he was going in the back of resturants signing autographs for workers etc.etc. But he is stuck in a rock and a hard place. His body guard and most likey good friend works for montery security, and his supporters tell him to denounce them. Racism is a horrible thing and should never be tolerated but on the other hand, did u really expect Blanco to openly denounce a major part of the Chicago Fire? Granted I do hope that this is the only incident, and those parties who are involved should be carried out with the proper punishment. But i find it sad that everybody really turned on Blanco.

There is a great article about this stuff at http://www.fightbacknews.org/2...racism.htm

I was there on that game, when the fans for the sector latino were being asked to move to give the kids the seats they had, one drunk guy came by me, and just took the mask I had on, i felt threatened and had to leave the stadium so i wouldn get attacked by the drunk fans, thank you,

Can we get an update on the site regarding this issue? I know that the section was back up on Saturday, but don't know what part(s) of the issue were resolved.

I was at the 9/6 Red Bull game and while there was participation in Sec 8 there were no drums and no capo stands. So what is the deal here? I'd like to really commend S8 leaders for what they do, what they continue to do and that I'm proud of chanting with them.

so no one could take flags inside the stadium?

Blanco is the Hunch Back of MLS