A mural celebrating baseball legends Jackie Robinson and Minnie Miñoso has been defaced with racist graffiti and Nazi symbols in Miami, igniting community outrage and renewed calls for confronting hate crimes.
Police are currently investigating an incident of vandalism that has shocked the Overtown community in Miami, where a mural honouring baseball legends Jackie Robinson and Minnie Miñoso was defaced with racist graffiti and Nazi symbols. The offensive markings were discovered by a seven-year-old boy, sparking a wave of outrage and concern among local leaders and residents.
The murals, part of a larger collection celebrating notable baseball figures, have adorned the fence at Dorsey Park since 2011. They were created by artists Kyle Holbrook and Kadir Nelson, alongside local organisations to pay tribute to Robinson, the first Black player to break Major League Baseball’s colour barrier in 1947, and Miñoso, the first Afro-Latino player and the first Black player for the Chicago White Sox. The artworks not only celebrate their monumental achievements but also represent a significant part of the community’s rich cultural history.
In response to the vandalism, city workers have temporarily covered the murals with wooden boards. Terrance Cribbs-Lorrant, executive director of the Miami Black Police Precinct, emphasised the need to confront the “hurt and hatred” manifested in such acts. “We need the community to uncover the hurt and the hatred that is existing,” he stated during a news conference, highlighting the danger of sweeping these issues under the rug.
U.S. Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick also condemned the act as a hate crime, asserting it is vital to respond with unity and resilience. “We must treat this for what it is: a hate crime meant to instil fear and division,” she remarked, pledging a commitment to truth, justice, and the preservation of the community’s history. This incident has brought to the forefront ongoing racial tensions that still resonate in many parts of the United States today.
The defacement of the mural is not an isolated incident. Over the years, memorials and statues dedicated to Jackie Robinson have faced similar attacks across the country. For instance, a memorial marker in Cairo, Georgia, was shot at in 2021, prompting Major League Baseball to step in with a $40,000 donation for its replacement. This act of violence against such tributes underscores the persistent issue of racism in American society, as noted in various discussions surrounding these events.
Dr. Saliha Nelson, CEO of Urgent, Inc., encapsulated the community’s spirit in the wake of the vandalism, declaring, “This was more than a defaced mural—it was an attempt to silence our story.” She affirmed the commitment to restoring the mural, reinforcing its role as a potent symbol of agency, pride, and excellence within the community.
As the police investigation continues, community leaders and residents are united in their resolve to confront and dismantle the hatred that has manifested itself through such acts of vandalism. With calls for greater awareness and action, the defaced murals serve as a painful reminder of the work still needed to combat racism and uphold the legacy of those, like Robinson and Miñoso, who fought tirelessly for equality and inclusion.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.independent.co.uk/news/jackie-robinson-police-miami-nazi-democratic-b2764756.html – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://apnews.com/article/2cec092847cd17892bb4f8caf11d2b67 – In Miami’s Overtown neighbourhood, a mural honouring baseball legends Jackie Robinson and Minnie Miñoso was defaced with racist graffiti and Nazi symbols, prompting a police investigation. Discovered by a 7-year-old boy, the vandalism shocked the community and highlighted ongoing racial tensions. Robinson was the first Black player in Major League Baseball, debuting in 1947 with the Brooklyn Dodgers, while Miñoso was the first Afro-Latino player and the first Black player for the Chicago White Sox. The murals, which have been on display at Dorsey Park since 2011, were created by artists Kyle Holbrook and Kadir Nelson in collaboration with local organisations. Community leaders expressed outrage, emphasising the need to confront hate rather than conceal it. U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick condemned the act as a hate crime, calling for unity in response. Dr. Saliha Nelson of Urgent, Inc. vowed to restore the mural, reaffirming its importance as a symbol of resilience and cultural pride. Authorities have not yet made any arrests. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/2cec092847cd17892bb4f8caf11d2b67?utm_source=openai))
- https://people.com/sports/mlb-helps-replace-vandalized-jackie-robinson-memorial-40000-donation/ – After vandals shot at a memorial marker dedicated to Jackie Robinson in Cairo, Georgia, Major League Baseball (MLB) stepped in with a $40,000 donation to replace the marker. The new marker was unveiled in Robinson’s hometown, with MLB’s vice president of social responsibility, April Brown, stating the league’s commitment to ensuring the marker ‘stands forever’. The original marker, which stood near Robinson’s birthplace, had been damaged by gunfire in early 2021. ([people.com](https://people.com/sports/mlb-helps-replace-vandalized-jackie-robinson-memorial-40000-donation/?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/33186645 – A plaque honouring baseball legend Jackie Robinson, which was vandalised in Georgia, is set to be displayed at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City. The marker, erected in 2001 outside Robinson’s birthplace near Cairo, Georgia, was discovered to have been shot multiple times. The museum plans to display the defaced marker as a reminder of the ongoing fight against hate and racism. ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/33186645?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/14/opinions/jackie-robinson-statue-destroyed-baseball-arrest-dent/index.html – An opinion piece discussing the implications of vandalism against Jackie Robinson statues in the United States. The article highlights incidents such as the defacement of a Robinson statue in Brooklyn in 2013 and the shooting of a historical marker in Cairo, Georgia, in 2021. The author reflects on the persistence of racism and the importance of confronting such acts to honour Robinson’s legacy. ([cnn.com](https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/14/opinions/jackie-robinson-statue-destroyed-baseball-arrest-dent/index.html?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/jackie-robinson-statue-vandalized-at-coney-island-ballpark/ – The Jackie Robinson statue outside MCU Park in Coney Island was vandalised with racist graffiti, including swastikas and offensive language. The discovery was made by Brooklyn Cyclones officials, who immediately began efforts to clean and remove the graffiti. The statue commemorates Robinson’s breaking of the colour barrier in Major League Baseball in 1947. ([cbsnews.com](https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/jackie-robinson-statue-vandalized-at-coney-island-ballpark/?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.brooklynpaper.com/vandal-defaces-jackie-robinson-statue-with-neo-nazi-graffiti/ – A vandal defaced the statue of Jackie Robinson and Pee Wee Reese outside MCU Park in Coney Island with neo-Nazi graffiti, including swastikas and racist slurs. The NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating the incident, and the statue was cleaned and covered to remove the offensive markings. The statue honours Robinson’s role in breaking the colour barrier in Major League Baseball. ([brooklynpaper.com](https://www.brooklynpaper.com/vandal-defaces-jackie-robinson-statue-with-neo-nazi-graffiti/?utm_source=openai))
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is fresh, with the earliest known publication date being June 5, 2025. The Independent’s report is based on a recent Associated Press article published the same day. No evidence of recycled or republished content was found. The report includes updated data on the incident, justifying a higher freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The direct quotes from community leaders and officials are unique to this report. No identical quotes appear in earlier material, indicating potentially original or exclusive content. No variations in quote wording were found.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Independent, a reputable UK-based news outlet. The report is based on an Associated Press article, a respected news agency. No unverifiable entities or fabricated information were identified.
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The claims are plausible and corroborated by multiple reputable sources. Similar incidents of vandalism targeting Jackie Robinson memorials have occurred in the past, such as the defacement of a statue in Brooklyn in 2013. ([nbcnewyork.com](https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/jackie-robinson-statue-vandalized-racial-slurs-swastika/2097297/?utm_source=openai)) The narrative includes specific factual anchors, including names, institutions, and dates. The language and tone are consistent with the region and topic. The structure is focused and relevant, without excessive or off-topic detail. The tone is appropriately serious, matching typical journalistic standards.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative passes all checks with high confidence. It is fresh, original, and sourced from reputable outlets. The claims are plausible and supported by specific details. No signs of disinformation or credibility issues were identified.
