Jackie Robinson Statue To Be Rededicated On “Diversity Day”

The Jackie Robinson/Pee Wee Reese statue standing outside MCU Park (1904 Surf Avenue), which was recently defaced with hate graffiti, will be rededicated on August 19 as part of a “Diversity Day” event hosted by the Alliance for Coney Island. The Brooklyn Daily Eagle is reporting that the re-dedication of the statue will be part of a series of activities designed to bring awareness to the evils of racism.

The event kicks off on Monday August 19th, revolving around a Brooklyn Cyclones doubleheader against the Staten Island Yankees. Prior to the first game’s start time at 5:30 p.m., community leaders, the Cyclones, the Jackie Robinson Foundation, the Jackie Robinson Little League and Major League Baseball will rededicate the statue.

The Daily Eagle described the activities set to take place after the game, including a special screening:

Following the ceremony and baseball game, there will be a special screening of the Warner Bros. movie “42” as part of the “Flicks on the Beach” Series presented by Alliance for Coney Island, Rooftop Films and NYC & Company.  Guests will be invited to watch the critically-acclaimed film on a 40-foot screen on the sand of Coney Island near West 10th Street.

“We are proud to be screening the monumental film ‘42’ which provides a biography of Brooklyn hero Jackie Robinson. A silver lining to this offensive act is that Coney Island can band together and commemorate Robinson’s legacy during Diversity Day, and celebrate the strength of our community and the history of Brooklyn,” said Johanna Zaki, Alliance for Coney Island Director of Operations.

This is a great job by the Alliance for Coney Island, the Cyclones and all others involved to turn an ugly event and transform it into an enlightening and fun day for the purposes of spreading messages of tolerance, brotherhood and community harmony.