Protesters don't want Ali to throw out first pitch

[Agent27]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/allstar04/news/story?id=1838748

Activists urge Muhammad Ali not to toss pitch

Associated Press

HOUSTON -- Civil rights activists are urging three-time heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali not to throw the first pitch at the All-Star Game, calling the opening ceremony a hypocritical gesture.

Houston National Black United Front Chairman Kofi Taharka said a decision by Ali not to throw the first pitch for Tuesday's Major League Baseball game could highlight claimed racial inequities in the nation's fourth largest city.

People for Justice, a coalition of Houston advocates and organizations, planned a Tuesday afternoon protest against what it called "the disrespect and negative socialization that African-Americans have been subjected to by the power structure in Houston that has no respect for the needs of black or poor people," according to a prepared statement Monday.

Coalition members contend that Houston is not diverse and cited a long list of concerns, from an Astros team that includes no black players to activist Quanell X's arrest.

Many black people who voted for Houston's stadiums can't afford to attend games and the 1960 Olympic medalist and boxing legend can help point that out, the activists said.

"We are hopeful that he will hear the righteous cry," Taharka told the Houston Chronicle in Tuesday's editions.

A telephone number for Ali's publicist was not listed. A representative of Mayor Bill White did not return a telephone call to The Associated Press early Tuesday.

The protest was scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. EST. It was expected to give the group a chance to "rise up and put some meat in the saying 'If there is no justice, there is no peace,'" said Taharka.

[Castor27]

Originally posted by Agent27

Many black people who voted for Houston's stadiums can't afford to attend games and the 1960 Olympic medalist and boxing legend can help point that out, the activists said.

The Astros offer tickets ranging from $5 for Adults to $1 for kids. What do these people want? I know free tickets, but that isn't really being realistic is it?

[Groogrux]

Originally posted by Castor27
The Astros offer tickets ranging from $5 for Adults to $1 for kids. What do these people want? I know free tickets, but that isn't really being realistic is it?

I'm guessing these same people aren't really helping pay for the stadiums either since most of the funding comes from taxes placed on hotels and car rentals, I believe.

[Austin70]

Me and the family are going to the day game against Arizona on the 29th, all six of us will get in for 14 dollars, the prostesters can kiss my cheap seat.

[Supermac34]

Do people really, honestly believe that the Astros don't have any black players because they are racist??

If they could get a hard slugging black guy, they'd want him in a second.

Jeez

[NJRocket]

Just a bunch of losers with nothing else to do but complain....no different than Martha Burke being a pain in the ass at the masters

[TECH]

You could also argue that having Ali throw the first pitch would be cruel and unusual punishment, seeing as how he may not be much of a thrower in his current condition.
It would just be something for the white folk to laugh at. :rolleyes:

You'd think that having Ali would be celebrated by the very ones who insist on throwing hissy fits. :rolleyes:

[NJRocket]

If it was Gerry Cooney throwing it out, you can bet your bottom dollar that the same people saying that the astros are racist would use it as an example too

[pgabriel]

Originally posted by NJRocket
If it was Gerry Cooney throwing it out, you can bet your bottom dollar that the same people saying that the astros are racist would use it as an example too

MLB chooses who throws out the first pitch.

Secondly, the protest isn't about the Astros as much as it is about a lot of things the group feels are wrong that is going on in the city.

[bobrek]

Originally posted by pgabriel
MLB chooses who throws out the first pitch.

Secondly, the protest isn't about the Astros as much as it is about a lot of things the group feels are wrong that is going on in the city.

Unfortunately they tend to take the focus off of the important city-wide issues when they cite the lack of minorities on the Astros roster or the inability of the poor to attend games (when the Astros do have cheap tickets available).

[The Real Shady]

:D

This is so funny. If the Astros hire Don Baylor as manager this group would probably call that a hypocritical gesture too.

[xiki]

Originally posted by bobrek
Unfortunately they tend to take the focus off of the important city-wide issues when they cite the lack of minorities on the Astros roster or the inability of the poor to attend games (when the Astros do have cheap tickets available).

The bigger issue is the poor play of the Astros' white players and Latins and coaching staff and...

[r-fan-since-81]

PA LEZzzzzzzzzzz

[redgoose]

It's amazing how hated Ali was during his fighting days by most people in the US. Now ironically he is supposed to be this all loving American hero. :rolleyes:

[bigtexxx]

Somebody call the waaaaaaahmbulance

[bigtexxx]

delete

[nWo34Life]

Screw it. He threw out the 1st pitch.

Move on, protestors. I hear LA is calling for your asses. They're reviving the Rodney King beating.

[KaiSeR SoZe]

ridiculous!

[bottlerocket]

Want some cheese with that whine??

I remember the same racist Astros organization had a black executive GM Bob Watson.

[codell]

Originally posted by bottlerocket
Want some cheese with that whine??

I remember the same racist Astros organization had a black executive GM Bob Watson.

Drayton has obviously become more racist over the years. He runs a much tighter ship now.

[rrj_gamz]

Ali was awesome last night...did you see him put the rabbit ears on A-Rod...classic...

[pgabriel]

Originally posted by codell
Drayton has obviously become more racist over the years. He runs a much tighter ship now.


That may have had a chance of being funny if Drayton hired Bob Watson

[codell]

Originally posted by pgabriel
That may have had a chance of being funny if Drayton hired Bob Watson

Its still funny because the Astros have had many black players over the years on Draytons watch, and just now, happen to have none.

Its about as funny as the whole theory that the Astros are racist and intentionally pass up on black players.

[Austin70]

And Drayton never gave a washed up, problem filled Doc Gooden a chance.........:rolleyes:

[MadMax]

i will not sleep until african americans get a fair shake in pro sports.



zzzzzz....


zzzzzz...


zzzzz....

[pgabriel]

Again for the people who apparently were to lazy to actually read the article.

It isn't just about sports or the Astros.

[MadMax]

Originally posted by pgabriel
Again for the people who apparently were to lazy to actually read the article.

It isn't just about sports or the Astros.

i understand that.

my post was just about sports.

i get that racism still exists. i really do. and i get that i don't get the depth of it because i'm not subjected to it. it's just that it loses real effect with me when you protest at an all-star game and cite the fact the home team doesn't have black guys. or you cite ticket prices for sporting events as being discriminatory.

and when the loudest voices on that pull away in their H2 Hummers.

[Agent86]

Im sorry but the Houston National Black United Front Chairman has no right to call anyone racist. In year two thousand freakin four, what the hell is the need for activist groups????

[bobrek]

Originally posted by pgabriel
Again for the people who apparently were to lazy to actually read the article.

It isn't just about sports or the Astros.

Which proves my earlier point. When a group is trying to draw attention to real issues, they should not include things that are trivial such as not being able to afford a $5.00 ticket to a baseball game. Not having $5.00 to spend on food, clothing or shelteris another matter.

The focus of their perceived plight shifts.

[mateo]

Many black people who voted for Houston's stadiums can't afford to attend games and the 1960 Olympic medalist and boxing legend can help point that out, the activists said.

The activists said it.....but Ali was too smart to try to sell some b.s that $5 tickets are unaffordable. Or, in my case, $2 tickets. (I bought the 10 tickets for $20 package - and got a free All-Star cap).

Granted racism is prevalent, but saying that about the tickets hurts their stand.