STREAM EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS

These Fans Were Removed From The Red Sox Game For Their 'Racism Is As American As Baseball' Sign

It was intended to be an anti-racism message.

A group of fans decided to use the Boston Red Sox home game against the Oakland Athletics at Fenway Park last night to make a powerful statement.

Between innings, they rolled out a huge banner, which read, "Racism Is As American As Baseball," over the ballpark's Green Monster.

Red Sox security quickly made those holding the sign remove it before ejecting them.

"During the fourth inning of tonight's game, four fans unfurled a banner over the left-field wall in violation of the club's policy prohibiting signs of any kind to be hung or affixed to the ballpark," a Red Sox spokesperson said, as reported by ESPN. "The individuals involved were escorted out of Fenway Park."

Some people on social media misinterpreted the banner as one promoting racism, however, the protest group behind the sign was actually trying to accomplish the opposite.

"I guess we should have seen that coming, but we also didn’t think of it as an ambiguous message," one group member, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, told CSNNE about the early confusion for the sign's message. "It’s kind of telling that it is being interpreted as one."

The same person from the group added: “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.”

BET Sports News — Get the latest news and information about African-Americans in sports, including weekly recaps, celebrity news and photos of your favorite Black athletes.

Latest News

Subscribe for BET Updates

Provide your email address to receive our newsletter.


By clicking Subscribe, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers) and other information from BET and the Paramount family of companies. You understand that you can unsubscribe at any time.