South Bronx Coalition demands transparency from the New York Yankees

South Bronx Coalition demands transparency from the New York Yankees

Written by William Gerena Rochet

Friday, 16 July 2010

This banner in the Palace of championship banners represents an appeal for accountability (Photo WGR) El Bronx, NY: A Thursday noon press conference in front of Yankee Stadium’ Babe Ruth Plaza situated in front of the main gate entries, on an otherwise perfect afternoon for baseball, a conference not to be confused with an outright protest rally – but one that had a number of grievances – the South Bronx Community represented by the For the South Bronx Coalition (4DSBxCoalition) and the Urban Justice Center met the press to hash out their complaints on the lack of transparency on the delivery of promises by the team management to support local residents, organizations and businesses when the new stadium was to be built. Rev. Lydia Lebrón -Rivera, pastor of the La Resurreccion United Methodist Church, welcomed the press and those in attendance; she offered condolences to the Steinbrenner and Sheppard families with a moment of silence for their losses and even included them in her prayer convocation. A moment of silence for the departed ‘Boss’ George Steinbrenner and ‘Voice’ Bob Sheppard (Photo WGR) But in her secular remarks she outlined why she and the Church she serves under where committed and involved in this particular struggle. “There is a great disconnect between the world we live in in the South Bronx and the world of justice and equality that people of faith and vision have with the believe in the ultimate creation; because we have a moral imperative to raise our voices; we raise our voices against big corporations all across the country – particularly the Yankees which – yet, not only our beloved team, but one in the South Bronx that puts Capital before people,” Reverend Lebrón-Rivera said. Rev. Lydia Lebrón –Rivera: a voice resembling that of Liberation Theology where the religious and the secular become a call for Justice on Earth (Photo WGR) Rev. Lebrón -Rivera added that by neglecting the community, “slowly and surely they (the Yankees Corporation) bring poverty, displacement of people and negative environmental consequences...We need to make sure the Yankees stand for higher values than just greed and higher profits and that they are accountable to us and they honor the promises laid out in the community benefits agreement.” Robert Carrillo, chair of the 4DSBXCoalition explained the Yankees CBA- Community Benefits Agreement (Photo WGR) Robert Carrillo, chair of the 4DSBXCoalition explained that the Yankees CBA (Community Benefits Agreement) outlined specific support for local business development; employment opportunities for Bronx residents; environmental protection oversight, and resources for local not-for-profit and community based organizations. In particular, the Yankee organization committed to hiring local businesses and residents for the stadium construction and to establishing both a one million dollar job training program plus an annual $800,000 fund to provide grants and equipment to local community groups. More than $2 million is now at stake with very little if any accountability to the community. Attorney Harvey Epstein of the Urban Justice Center talks of the letter to be sent to team President Randy Levine (Photo WGR) Attorney Harvey Epstein of the Urban Justice Center said a letter will be delivered to Randy Levine, the President of the New York Yankees Partnership, owners of the team, that remonstrates the absence of documents tracking each commitment made in the 2006 Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) and to show to what extent any of the pledges are a work in progress – if at all; if any have fallen short, aborted or never begun. He said, “We need for this information to be made public; to explore what happened, where the money went and with this demand we want to know in 20 days; we expect that the Yankees will comply.” In urging people to get involved in this issue, Mr. Epstein implored the community organizations and residents to be active: “Everyone knows that in 2006, The Yankees entered into Community Benefits Agreement with the local elected officials that in exchange for, they agreed with the development of this new stadium. And in exchange what did the community get? What is the traffic situation; what is the job situation? The community needs to know that.” Ms Sirrah Harris of the Urban Justice Center gave additional details as to what the CBA promises entailed. For one, a yearly distribution of home game tickets were to be allotted to the community; the benefits and percentage (25%) of construction jobs were not to be Bronx borough-wide, but specifically for South Bronx residents including technical and equipment for community and youth organizations. Attorney General candidate Ramon Jimenez not only demands Yankees ‘Agreement’ compliment, but is very critical of the Bronx political establishment for their lack of backbone on the issue.(Photo WGR) On the question the role the elected politicians have played in demanding transparency on the CBA, 'People's lawyer' Ramon Jimenez who is running for Attorney General with the Freedom Party line said not a single one had the guts to challenge the Yankees management on the issue and pointed out to Randy Levine’s duty to come through with the demands put forth in this news conference. Reverend Lebrón concluded by inviting people to attend the coalition’s meetings on this issue and to join them in another news conference at the Woodlawn Cemetery in support of the workers there.