Racial slurs and a swastika were scrawled Tuesday night on a statue of baseball legend Jackie Robinson, outside MCU Park in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn and the New York Police Department (NYPD) Hate Crimes Task Force has now launched a probe.
The statue, which shows Robinson and Pee Wee Reese, a teammate who stood up for the African American legend when he was being heckled.
The Crime Stoppers hotline with anyone with information about this crime i 1-800-577-TIPS. You can also text CRIMES and enter TIP577. Also see www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.
“Almost every Saturday morning I stop by the statue on my bike, and am deeply moved each time. Defacing the Jackie Robinson statue is a dagger in the heart to everything America stands for, and I hope those who are responsible are caught, punished, and taught why what they did is so disgusting and offensive,” U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer, said.
State Senator Eric Adams, New York City Councilman David Greenfield, and City Council candidate Mark Treyger have offered a $1,500 reward for information.
