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Staten Island Yankees respond to ‘Blue Lives Matter Day’ controversy
Minor league team’s general manager says the fundraiser for slain officers’ families was apolitical.
A New York Yankees minor-league affiliate says it was surprised by the controversy surrounding a “Blue Lives Matter Day” held at its ballpark Sunday.
Social-justice activists and left-leaning websites criticized the timing of the event, which took place on the anniversary of Michael Brown’s death in Ferguson, Mo., but team officials insist it was simply a coincidence.
Blue Lives Matter NYC, a charity for the families of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, hosted the fundraising event during a baseball game between the Staten Island Yankees and the Brooklyn Cyclones at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark.
The families of NYPD detectives Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos — who were shot and killed by a lone gunman in Brooklyn in December 2014 — were honored during the ball game. One of Liu’s family members threw out the ceremonial first pitch.
“It was treated just as we do with every group that comes in. It was pretty standard. We get these inquiries many times a week,” Jane Rogers, the team’s president and general manager, said in an interview with Yahoo News.
The Staten Island Yankees, like many other minor-league teams, regularly let local charities run 50-50 lotteries during their ball games.
“It was really a coincidence that it fell on the anniversary date,” Rogers said. “There was never any intent to connect the days in any way. We just wanted to provide a space like any other group looking to fundraise at the ballpark.”
NYPD Sgt. Joe Imperatrice, the nonprofit’s founder and president, likened the organization to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He said no one was aware of the date’s significance during preparation.
“We were just focused on having something positive come out of something negative,” he told Yahoo News. “We just wanted to get them out of the house and put a smile on their face.”
Their goal was to raise money for the Liu and Ramos families, who lost their main source of income, to help pay for their children’s college tuition.
“Even nine months later, it’s very hard, so we want the families to know that people care for them and are still there to support them,” Imperatrice said. “People of all nationalities were there. It was a great day.”
Attendees received a Blue Lives Matter wristband featuring the Staten Island Yankees logo with every ticket purchase.
“We’re not here to take sides. We’re not here to back anything politically,” he said. “We’re here to tell the families that we’ll never let them down and we’re always here to help them.”
Many Black Lives Matter demonstrators are offended by the slogans Blue Lives Matter and All Lives Matter.
Kirsten Savali, a cultural critic for the Root, an online magazine on African-American culture, said that with this event the baseball team “unapologetically spits” in the face of the Black Lives Matter movement.
“The Staten Island Yankees wanted to send a statement today, and they did: Black lives don’t matter to them or the Yankees organization,” Savali wrote. “On today of all days, they made it clear that not only is baseball ‘America’s Favorite Pastime,’ but it goes hand in hand with the continued dehumanization of black Americans.”
Similarly, Judd Legum, the editor in chief of the liberal blog Think Progress, argued that Blue Lives Matter is insensitive in that it draws attention away from victims of police violence.
“Like the refrain ‘All Lives Matter,’ it is used — online and elsewhere — to undercut the notion that there is a particular problem with police brutality against people of color,” he wrote.
Michael Holley, senior director of marketing and fan experience for the Staten Island Yankees, says he was caught off-guard by the negative press.
“Maybe we should have seen it coming, but we were so focused on helping the families from day one that that’s where all of our thought has gone,” he said to Yahoo News.
From the beginning, Holley said, Blue Lives Matter NYC made it clear that they were not interested in turning the stadium into a political space. The group knew that both deceased officers’ families were baseball fans, he said.
“We do it all the time for all kinds of organizations,” Holley said. “We are open for anyone who needs help as a platform to raise money, regardless of affiliation. We just want to represent our community as accurately as possible.”
http://news.yahoo.com/staten-island-yankees-blue-lives-matter-day-black-lives-matter-brooklyn-cyclones-172121375.html
A New York Yankees minor-league affiliate says it was surprised by the controversy surrounding a “Blue Lives Matter Day” held at its ballpark Sunday.
Social-justice activists and left-leaning websites criticized the timing of the event, which took place on the anniversary of Michael Brown’s death in Ferguson, Mo., but team officials insist it was simply a coincidence.
Blue Lives Matter NYC, a charity for the families of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, hosted the fundraising event during a baseball game between the Staten Island Yankees and the Brooklyn Cyclones at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark.
The families of NYPD detectives Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos — who were shot and killed by a lone gunman in Brooklyn in December 2014 — were honored during the ball game. One of Liu’s family members threw out the ceremonial first pitch.
“It was treated just as we do with every group that comes in. It was pretty standard. We get these inquiries many times a week,” Jane Rogers, the team’s president and general manager, said in an interview with Yahoo News.
The Staten Island Yankees, like many other minor-league teams, regularly let local charities run 50-50 lotteries during their ball games.
“It was really a coincidence that it fell on the anniversary date,” Rogers said. “There was never any intent to connect the days in any way. We just wanted to provide a space like any other group looking to fundraise at the ballpark.”
NYPD Sgt. Joe Imperatrice, the nonprofit’s founder and president, likened the organization to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He said no one was aware of the date’s significance during preparation.
“We were just focused on having something positive come out of something negative,” he told Yahoo News. “We just wanted to get them out of the house and put a smile on their face.”
Their goal was to raise money for the Liu and Ramos families, who lost their main source of income, to help pay for their children’s college tuition.
“Even nine months later, it’s very hard, so we want the families to know that people care for them and are still there to support them,” Imperatrice said. “People of all nationalities were there. It was a great day.”
Attendees received a Blue Lives Matter wristband featuring the Staten Island Yankees logo with every ticket purchase.
“We’re not here to take sides. We’re not here to back anything politically,” he said. “We’re here to tell the families that we’ll never let them down and we’re always here to help them.”
Many Black Lives Matter demonstrators are offended by the slogans Blue Lives Matter and All Lives Matter.
Kirsten Savali, a cultural critic for the Root, an online magazine on African-American culture, said that with this event the baseball team “unapologetically spits” in the face of the Black Lives Matter movement.
“The Staten Island Yankees wanted to send a statement today, and they did: Black lives don’t matter to them or the Yankees organization,” Savali wrote. “On today of all days, they made it clear that not only is baseball ‘America’s Favorite Pastime,’ but it goes hand in hand with the continued dehumanization of black Americans.”
Similarly, Judd Legum, the editor in chief of the liberal blog Think Progress, argued that Blue Lives Matter is insensitive in that it draws attention away from victims of police violence.
“Like the refrain ‘All Lives Matter,’ it is used — online and elsewhere — to undercut the notion that there is a particular problem with police brutality against people of color,” he wrote.
Michael Holley, senior director of marketing and fan experience for the Staten Island Yankees, says he was caught off-guard by the negative press.
“Maybe we should have seen it coming, but we were so focused on helping the families from day one that that’s where all of our thought has gone,” he said to Yahoo News.
From the beginning, Holley said, Blue Lives Matter NYC made it clear that they were not interested in turning the stadium into a political space. The group knew that both deceased officers’ families were baseball fans, he said.
“We do it all the time for all kinds of organizations,” Holley said. “We are open for anyone who needs help as a platform to raise money, regardless of affiliation. We just want to represent our community as accurately as possible.”
http://news.yahoo.com/staten-island-yankees-blue-lives-matter-day-black-lives-matter-brooklyn-cyclones-172121375.html
I wish MLK were around to help these folks out. I think they do have a message but I think they are doing almost every aspect of getting it out there completely wrong.
I would have to guess that MLK would not be part of the group.
"....unapologetically spits in the face of the Black Lives Matter".
I'm not sure there is anything that won't offend this group. They made it abundantly clear that they don't like or agree with "All Lives Matter". Have there been any cries of racism over that?
Man, what an over sensitive lot we've become as a nation.
The BLM group needs new leadership. They are going about nearly everything they do, wrong. They couldn't be much more of a bully.
I'm not sure there is anything that won't offend this group. They made it abundantly clear that they don't like or agree with "All Lives Matter". Have there been any cries of racism over that?
Man, what an over sensitive lot we've become as a nation.
The BLM group needs new leadership. They are going about nearly everything they do, wrong. They couldn't be much more of a bully.
I think you made a few excellent points, I especially agree with what you said about the activist disrupting other events ~ yes, it's annoying and rude. It's also become dangerous where ever these scenes spring up at... If they want anyone to respect and understand what they are protesting, they need to stop hijacking venues...
Although I do strongly believe in freedom of speech and peaceful protesting; I think a lot of what we're seeing now has become completely unorganized and has unraveled at the seams. Let's consider where they are taking their cues from; I think it's disgusting that POTUS ( & the officials who follow) has allowed so much chaos and destruction to continue after last year's mess. I don't see it getting better anytime soon, and with millions out of work, this gives a lot of people something to direct their anger and energy at...
The Occupy movement!! Whew, that was it!!
Benefits to protesting-- it DOES draw my attention to an issue.
Cons to protesting-- I'm immediately irritated and begin having an issue with their group and their cause. Honestly, the protesting and sign making of the tea party was the first thing that made me dislike them.
The name of that group that went to parks, what was that? It's on the tip of my tongue. Orphanedhawk would know . . . I think she supported their actions.
Would work better, in my opinion, to get the attention/word out about an issue. Then support your issue without the disruption and carrying on.
But then, what would all these people who seem to have nothing better to do with themselves do?
so, that was a tangent on protesting. I'm exercising my freedom of speech to say I don't like it and wish it would not be the 'cool' thing to do anymore.
Cons to protesting-- I'm immediately irritated and begin having an issue with their group and their cause. Honestly, the protesting and sign making of the tea party was the first thing that made me dislike them.
The name of that group that went to parks, what was that? It's on the tip of my tongue. Orphanedhawk would know . . . I think she supported their actions.
Would work better, in my opinion, to get the attention/word out about an issue. Then support your issue without the disruption and carrying on.
But then, what would all these people who seem to have nothing better to do with themselves do?
so, that was a tangent on protesting. I'm exercising my freedom of speech to say I don't like it and wish it would not be the 'cool' thing to do anymore.
Protesters irritate me. And I don't think the constitution gives people the right to shout out and disrupt an event. That's disorderly conduct as far as I'm concerned. I also do not appreciate when attending an event someone standing there with a sign in my face or handing me a paper with their opinion on it. That's disturbing MY peace.
You can have freedom of speech with limits that do not infringe upon other's experience in life.
Just my humble opinion.
You can have freedom of speech with limits that do not infringe upon other's experience in life.
Just my humble opinion.
So you want to change the constitution? You want to ban the rights of people?
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Ummm blue lives matter is not just from the organizer of this one event, it has been used just as long as the black lives matter thing.
You want to talk about stirring the pot then talk to the black lives matter crowd when they boo'd O'Malley for saying all lives matter. Or for not letting Sanders talk at an event, or for disrupting normal lives with protests, or for trying to defend a criminal.
You want to talk about stirring the pot then talk to the black lives matter crowd when they boo'd O'Malley for saying all lives matter. Or for not letting Sanders talk at an event, or for disrupting normal lives with protests, or for trying to defend a criminal.
I'm all for a ban on protesters and activists.
What comes around goes around....
Published December 23, 2014
NYC protesters say they won't stop demonstrations despite de Blasio's wishes
Activist groups in New York City have rejected a call by Mayor Bill de Blasio to hold off on any new demonstrations until after the funerals of two NYPD officers who were ambushed and murdered Saturday in Brooklyn.
The killings have aggravated tensions between police, City Hall, and protesters who have staged regular demonstrations since a Staten Island grand jury refused to indict an officer earlier this month in connection with the death of 43-year-old Eric Garner. Amateur video appeared to show the officer putting Garner in a chokehold while questioning him over the sale of untaxed cigarettes.
"We are in a very difficult moment. Our focus has to be on these families," de Blasio said Monday at police headquarters. "I think it's a time for everyone to put aside political debates, put aside protests, put aside all of the things that we will talk about in all due time."
However, the Rev. Al Sharpton told Reuters late Monday that de Blasio's request was too "ill-defined" to heed.
"Is a vigil a protest? Is a rally?" Sharpton asked.
Another group, The Answer Coalition, said it would go ahead with a long-planned march Tuesday evening, and denounced the mayor for what it called an "outrageous" attempt to chill free speech. The New York Post reported that a few dozen protesters staged a "die-in" at Grand Central Terminal before marching toward Times Square.
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/12/23/nyc-protesters-say-wont-stop-demonstrations-despite-de-blasio-wishes/
Published December 23, 2014
NYC protesters say they won't stop demonstrations despite de Blasio's wishes
Activist groups in New York City have rejected a call by Mayor Bill de Blasio to hold off on any new demonstrations until after the funerals of two NYPD officers who were ambushed and murdered Saturday in Brooklyn.
The killings have aggravated tensions between police, City Hall, and protesters who have staged regular demonstrations since a Staten Island grand jury refused to indict an officer earlier this month in connection with the death of 43-year-old Eric Garner. Amateur video appeared to show the officer putting Garner in a chokehold while questioning him over the sale of untaxed cigarettes.
"We are in a very difficult moment. Our focus has to be on these families," de Blasio said Monday at police headquarters. "I think it's a time for everyone to put aside political debates, put aside protests, put aside all of the things that we will talk about in all due time."
However, the Rev. Al Sharpton told Reuters late Monday that de Blasio's request was too "ill-defined" to heed.
"Is a vigil a protest? Is a rally?" Sharpton asked.
Another group, The Answer Coalition, said it would go ahead with a long-planned march Tuesday evening, and denounced the mayor for what it called an "outrageous" attempt to chill free speech. The New York Post reported that a few dozen protesters staged a "die-in" at Grand Central Terminal before marching toward Times Square.
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/12/23/nyc-protesters-say-wont-stop-demonstrations-despite-de-blasio-wishes/
Well, that is true. They are definitely an obnoxious group liking to yell out at events and such. I hate that.
But I just feel like we need to tone down anything that could be stirring the pot. As in ONE people. All lives matter.
We had a serious even in our city that was very sad. A man that had a suicide wish and wrote on social media and told people that he wanted to die by police gun fire. Clearly mentally unstable. But, he concocted a plan. He called 911 and said he needed immediate police assistance because there was a man threatening people with a gun. The man with a gun was HIM. So, a police officer showed up, began approaching him and was shot point blank and killed. The other responding officer then shot the man with the death wish. The slain police officer was a single, widowed father and a very good man by all accounts. They held a service at the convention center in our city (humongous) and people came by the thousands. There was no racial tension. African Americans, even the man's family, were in attendance at that event to honor the police man. It was a no race day. Just a sad day after a tragedy.
What if they'd named it Blue life matters day? It totally takes it BACK to the tension rather than truly honoring what happened.
Same with this for me. It made the day about something else rather than those police officers. They should absolutely have a day to honor them but rise above and give it a fitting name not one just to make a point.
But I just feel like we need to tone down anything that could be stirring the pot. As in ONE people. All lives matter.
We had a serious even in our city that was very sad. A man that had a suicide wish and wrote on social media and told people that he wanted to die by police gun fire. Clearly mentally unstable. But, he concocted a plan. He called 911 and said he needed immediate police assistance because there was a man threatening people with a gun. The man with a gun was HIM. So, a police officer showed up, began approaching him and was shot point blank and killed. The other responding officer then shot the man with the death wish. The slain police officer was a single, widowed father and a very good man by all accounts. They held a service at the convention center in our city (humongous) and people came by the thousands. There was no racial tension. African Americans, even the man's family, were in attendance at that event to honor the police man. It was a no race day. Just a sad day after a tragedy.
What if they'd named it Blue life matters day? It totally takes it BACK to the tension rather than truly honoring what happened.
Same with this for me. It made the day about something else rather than those police officers. They should absolutely have a day to honor them but rise above and give it a fitting name not one just to make a point.
Well, I don't really agree with you Vance. I think the event was pot stirring and nanner nanner in nature. It would be easy to support police and have a day honoring for them, the organizer was tacky to take on a name that is used elsewhere. It's an example of why the tension goes on and on and on and on and on.
It seems the black lives matter group likes to take events that have absolutely nothing to do with them and make it all about them, interesting....
They do have a name for it, blue lives matter. Just like all lives matter but because of the racism spewed by a man in a white house he has made a certain part of the population think that they are all innocent and being gunned down at will. So they have tried to make it seem that only their lives matter.
I just think it is tacky. That's all I have to say about it.
Maybe they should get their own name for the day (and police work is dangerous, part of the job).
71 police have died in the line of duty THIS YEAR, 19 by gunfire. Blue lives matter!!!!!!!!!
If that population would stop committing crimes then maybe they would have a leg to stand on. Never heard of someone 100% innocent being gunned down.
If that population would stop committing crimes then maybe they would have a leg to stand on. Never heard of someone 100% innocent being gunned down.
Poor timing and on the inappropriate side as well. There is a population of our country that feels like their lives don't matter. That bothers me. ALL lives matter and American citizens are feeling in this day and age like they don't. That if someone is harassed and shot, that it doesn't matter. Rather than being mad that they started this group with an odd name, I think we should be asking why they feel that way. I don't resent someone for wondering what their place is in society, I would rather help them.
I'm absolutely not a fan of activism, marching, picketing, disrupting an event and I think many jump into doing that and sometimes aren't even 'that' invested in the cause. Activism completely annoys me and seems to be something that the truly obnoxious flock to. So,, all the things this group does, I don't approve of it (interrupting old Bernie and all).
BUT, with that said, I don't think this blue lives matter was the thing to do. Actually, I think it was a childish statement similar to nanny nanny boo boo.
I'm absolutely not a fan of activism, marching, picketing, disrupting an event and I think many jump into doing that and sometimes aren't even 'that' invested in the cause. Activism completely annoys me and seems to be something that the truly obnoxious flock to. So,, all the things this group does, I don't approve of it (interrupting old Bernie and all).
BUT, with that said, I don't think this blue lives matter was the thing to do. Actually, I think it was a childish statement similar to nanny nanny boo boo.
I am a Yankees fan and I applaud this 100%. WELL DONE SI YANKEES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kirsten Savali, a cultural critic for the Root, an online magazine on African-American culture, said that with this event the baseball team “unapologetically spits” in the face of the Black Lives Matter movement. I do not think they do that but I will gladly do that.
Kirsten Savali, a cultural critic for the Root, an online magazine on African-American culture, said that with this event the baseball team “unapologetically spits” in the face of the Black Lives Matter movement. I do not think they do that but I will gladly do that.
How ridiculous. I found Ms. Savali's comparison of baseball to the dehumanization of black Americans crass and ignorant ~ some of baseball's most celebrated and popularized players are black... Also Mr. Legum's comments regarding Blue Lives Matter is insensitive and draws attention away from victims of police brutality, I don't see as justified. For one thing, the news of Black Lives Matter and police brutality against black Americans has been flooding media and newsrooms for nearly a year now in America. I see it every night I watch the news on several channels, it's well televised. If a minor league affiliate and the NYPD want to spend one day honoring two slain police officers by having a fund raiser, in my opinion it shouldn't be an issue for anybody...
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