Graffiti desecrates mural celebrating baseball legend Jackie Robinson in Miami; authorities launch probe
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A criminal investigation is underway after unidentified perpetrators targeted the commemorative murals of baseball icons Jackie Robinson and Minnie Miñoso in Miami's Dorsey Park[1][2][3].
These murals, which form part of a larger collection honoring other legendary baseball figures, reside on a nearby fence. Notably, Negro League games were once played at Dorsey Park.
During a press conference, members of the community spoke about the initial discovery of the vandalism by a 7-year-old child. The damaging graffiti found on the murals has been identified as hate symbols, including the n-word and Nazi swastikas[3].
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Temporary plywood covers now protect the defaced murals of Robinson and Miñoso.
Terrance Cribbs-Lorrant, executive director of the City of Miami Black Police Precinct, said, "Although you might not be able to see it on TV, we need the community to unearth the pain and hatred that is lurking around. The reason why this continues being propagated is because we keep concealing it."
On Wednesday, Democratic U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick labeled the hate crime as a "reprehensible act of racism"[1].
Legendary MLB players Jackie Robinson (Hulton Archive/Getty Images) and Minnie Miñoso, who broke barriers in their respective careers, are remembered in the park since 2011. Robinson became the first African American player in Major League Baseball, signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947[2]. Meanwhile, Miñoso was the first Afro-Latino player and the first Black player for the Chicago White Sox.
As of now, no arrests have been made in relation to the vandalism[1]. our website Digital contacted the Miami Police Department for additional information.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Stay updated with our website Digital's sports news on stream and subscribe to the our website Sports Huddle newsletter[4].
Chantz Martin contributes as a sports writer for our website Digital.
[1] Miami Police Investigating 'Hate Crime' Vandalism of Jackie Robinson, Minnie Miñoso Murals[2] Jackie Robinson[3] Miami Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick Calls Mural Vandalism a 'Hate Crime'[4] our website Sports Huddle
- The defaced murals of Jackie Robinson and Minnie Miñoso, two baseball icons known for breaking barriers in Major League Baseball, are currently covered in plywood, following a hate crime involving the use of hate symbols, including the n-word and Nazi swastikas.
- Jackie Robinson, the first African American player in Major League Baseball, and Minnie Miñoso, the first Afro-Latino player and the first Black player for the Chicago White Sox, are both memorialized in Dorsey Park since 2011 and their vandalized murals have sparked outrage and investigation as a hate crime.
