A Jackie Robinson statue outside MCU Park in Coney Island has been vandalized.
The statue was spray painted with swastikas and racist slur that read: “Heil Hitler,” “Die n—-r,” “F–k n—-r” and “F–k Jackie Robinson.”
Brooklyn Cyclones team officials said they made the discovery on Wednesday morning.
“Immediately we went into action to try to clean it and remove the graffiti,” said Billy Harner, the team’s director of communications. “We have video surveillance of the area, we’re looking at the tapes to investigate exactly what took place.”
The sports organization had the slurs covered with duct tape as fans arrived at the park for the team’s 11am ET game. They also plan to remove the paint by using solution at a later time. Police are currently investigating the crime.
“This is being treated as a bias crime,” detective John Nevandro of the 60th precinct said in a statement. “Hate Crimes will investigate the incident.”
The statue depicts teammates Robinson and Pee Wee Reese during the 1947 season.
“The statue is a symbol of tolerance,” said Harner. “It’s an absolute tragedy that someone would deface it the way they did.”
The Brooklyn Cyclones are the minor league team of the New York Mets.
