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Protesters don't want Ali to throw out first pitch

Discussion in 'Houston Astros' started by Agent27, Jul 13, 2004.

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  1. Agent27

    Agent27 Member

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    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.
     
    #1 Agent27, Jul 13, 2004
  2. Castor27

    Castor27 Moderator
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    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?
     
    #2 Castor27, Jul 13, 2004
  3. Rocketman95

    Rocketman95 Hangout Boy

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    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.
     
    #3 Rocketman95, Jul 13, 2004
  4. Austin70

    Austin70 Member

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    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.
     
    #4 Austin70, Jul 13, 2004
  5. Supermac34

    Supermac34 President, Von Wafer Fan Club

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    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
     
    #5 Supermac34, Jul 13, 2004
  6. NJRocket

    NJRocket Member

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    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
     
    #6 NJRocket, Jul 13, 2004
  7. TECH

    TECH Member

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    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:
     
    #7 TECH, Jul 13, 2004
  8. NJRocket

    NJRocket Member

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    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
     
    #8 NJRocket, Jul 13, 2004
  9. pgabriel

    pgabriel Educated Negro

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    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.
     
    #9 pgabriel, Jul 13, 2004
  10. bobrek

    bobrek Politics belong in the D & D

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    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).
     
    #10 bobrek, Jul 13, 2004
  11. The Real Shady

    The Real Shady Member

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    :D

    This is so funny. If the Astros hire Don Baylor as manager this group would probably call that a hypocritical gesture too.
     
    #11 The Real Shady, Jul 13, 2004
  12. xiki

    xiki Member

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    The bigger issue is the poor play of the Astros' white players and Latins and coaching staff and...
     
    #12 xiki, Jul 13, 2004
  13. r-fan-since-81

    r-fan-since-81 Member

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    PA LEZzzzzzzzzzz
     
    #13 r-fan-since-81, Jul 13, 2004
  14. redgoose

    redgoose Member

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    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:
     
    #14 redgoose, Jul 13, 2004
  15. bigtexxx

    bigtexxx Member

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    Somebody call the waaaaaaahmbulance
     
    #15 bigtexxx, Jul 13, 2004
  16. bigtexxx

    bigtexxx Member

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    delete
     
    #16 bigtexxx, Jul 13, 2004
  17. Rockets34Legend

    Rockets34Legend Member

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    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.
     
    #17 Rockets34Legend, Jul 13, 2004
  18. KaiSeR SoZe

    KaiSeR SoZe Member

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    ridiculous!
     
    #18 KaiSeR SoZe, Jul 13, 2004
  19. bottlerocket

    bottlerocket Member

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    Want some cheese with that whine??

    I remember the same racist Astros organization had a black executive GM Bob Watson.
     
    #19 bottlerocket, Jul 13, 2004
  20. codell

    codell Member

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    Drayton has obviously become more racist over the years. He runs a much tighter ship now.
     
    #20 codell, Jul 14, 2004
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