[Yankees\Donald Trump]
Diaz: “We all deserve better than a careless major league baseball organization that consistently ignores the surrounding community while pandering to an unapologetic white supremacist like Donald Trump.”
Photo: YouTube
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz is “outraged” that the New York Yankees have invited the racially-divisive Donald Trump to throw out the first pitch on Aug. 15.
“I am shocked and outraged by the New York Yankees’ decision to invite President Donald Trump to throw out the first pitch at Yankee Stadium on August 15.
“On June 8, the Yankees released a statement that in part read: “Black lives matter. The New York Yankees condemn racism, prejudice and injustice in all forms.”
“By inviting President Trump to throw out the first pitch, they are blatantly demonstrating that their pronouncements are cynical and devoid of genuine meaning. Perhaps, in fact, the words “Black Lives Matter” should now also be painted on the street outside of Yankee Stadium, the same as Trump Tower.
“We all deserve better than a careless major league baseball organization that consistently ignores the surrounding community while pandering to an unapologetic white supremacist like Donald Trump.
“Many local workers have lost their jobs – including those small businesses right next door to Yankee Stadium. Roughly 150,000 Americans, including nearly 4,000 Bronxites, have died due to COVID-19. The Yankees would be better served by honoring them and their families rather than a president whose bluster and incompetence utterly failed to restrain the pandemic.
“Donald Trump has sowed division and fanned the flames of hatred in our country. Bronxites in particular have had to deal with the rotten fruits of his discriminatory practices, bearing cuts to essential programs and services while promoting unjust and cruel immigration policies, most recently his catastrophic national mismanagement of the COVID-19 crisis.
“That the Bronx Bombers would see fit to invite Donald Trump to our great borough, to throw out the first pitch, is a resounding slap in the face to Bronxities and loyal Yankees fans who will always root for their home team!”
