Vandals targeted murals of baseball legends Jackie Robinson and Minnie Miñoso in Miami’s Dorsey Park, leaving Nazi symbols on the artwork. A 7-year-old boy discovered the vandalism, sparking a community outcry and a police investigation. The painted images, part of a collection honoring multiple baseball stars, were found to contain the divisive symbols of the Nazi regime. The discovery came just days after a separate incident involving the theft and subsequent sentencing of a Jackie Robinson statue from the same park. Prominent community leaders and advocacy groups called the act a hate crime, with Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick referring to it as a ‘vile act of hatred.’ She emphasized the importance of confronting such acts with unity and resilience, urging the community to address the underlying hatred and division. The murals, which celebrate Robinson’s historic breakthrough in Major League Baseball in 1947 and Miñoso’s milestone as the first Afro-Latino player for the Chicago White Sox, have stood in the park since 2011. Community leaders, including Terrance Cribbs-Lorrant, executive director of the City of Miami Black Police Precinct, called for transparency and accountability, stating that the community must ‘uncover the hurt and the hatred that is existing.’ Police remain actively investigating the incident, having yet to make any arrests. The artwork has since been temporarily covered with plywood to protect it from further damage. Authorities have not yet released any details about the investigation, and the Miami Police Department has been contacted for further information. The incident has reignited discussions about the importance of preserving historical and cultural symbols, particularly in light of recent events involving racial tensions and symbols of hate. The community is now calling for vigilance and a renewed commitment to protecting the legacy of baseball pioneers like Robinson and Miñoso.
The vandalism comes at a time of heightened awareness about the significance of public art in representing diverse histories and achievements. The murals, which have stood in Dorsey Park for over a decade, symbolize the contributions of African American athletes to the sport of baseball and the broader American narrative. The presence of Nazi symbols on such artwork has raised concerns about the deliberate targeting of historical memory and the potential for hate to influence public spaces. Advocacy groups and civil rights organizations are now urging authorities to take the matter seriously, emphasizing that such acts of vandalism not only threaten cultural heritage but also incite fear and division within the community. The case has also brought attention to the role of public art in fostering social cohesion and the importance of safeguarding it from acts of hatred. As the investigation continues, the community remains united in its efforts to protect the legacy of Robinson and Miñoso while addressing the underlying issues that led to the vandalism. The incident underscores the broader conversation about the intersection of history, race, and public expression, and the need for collective action to preserve and honor the past.