"Racism as American as Baseball" banner unfurled at Oakland A's v. Boston Red Sox game
This banner was unfureld at Fenway Park in Boston. Sept. 13, 2017. Photo: Fox News Edge
BOSTON (Fox News/KTVU) - Protesters caused a stir at Boston's Fenway Park Wednesday night when they unfurled a banner proclaiming "Racism is as American as Baseball" over the famed Green Monster.
Two women and one man were seen holding up the black banner in the middle of the fourth inning of the Red Sox game against the Oakland Athletics.
“We are a group of white anti-racist protestors,” the fans said in a statement to The Washington Post. “We want to remind everyone that just as baseball is fundamental to American culture and history, so too is racism. White people need to wake up to this reality before white supremacy can truly be dismantled. We urge anyone who is interested in learning more or taking action to contact their local racial justice organization.”
“We are responding to a long history of racism and white supremacy in the United States that continues to pervade every aspect of American culture today,” one anonymous protester told the Post, adding of the decision to stage their demonstration at a nationally televised Red Sox game, “We deliberately chose a platform in an attempt to reach as many people as possible.”
The Boston Globe reported that the crowd booed the banner until it and the protesters were removed by security. The game was not delayed.
In a statement, the Red Sox said that four people were ejected from the park and the banner was "in violation of the club's policy prohibiting signs of any kind to be hung or affixed to the ballpark." The club's statement did not mention the message on the banner. The Globe reported that one protester told Sox security they were inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement.
The A’s beat the sox 7-3.