The Fresno Grizzlies are apologizing to Socialist Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for including her in a Memorial Day tribute video that portrayed her as an adversary of the U.S.
“We’re embarrassed we allowed this video to play without seeing it in its entirety first,” the Triple A baseball club posted to Twitter Monday. “We unconditionally apologize to Rep. Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) in addition to our fans, community and those we hurt. It was a mistake and we will ensure that nothing like it ever happens again.”
We’re embarrassed we allowed this video to play without seeing it in its entirety first. We unconditionally apologize to Rep. Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) in addition to our fans, community and those we hurt. It was a mistake and we will ensure that nothing like it ever happens again.
— Fresno Grizzlies (@FresnoGrizzlies) May 28, 2019
The apology was at least the second for the day.
The offensive video features an inspirational speech from former President Ronald Reagan’s 1981 inaugural address about the cost of freedom, transposed over various images and videos.
“As for the enemies of freedom, those who are potential adversaries, they will be reminded that peace is the highest aspiration of the American people,” Reagan said as the video flashed images of Antifa and Ocasio-Cortez along with pictures of Kim Jong Un and Fidel Castro. “We will negotiate for it, sacrifice for it. We will not surrender for it, now or ever.
“We are Americans.”
The team’s Twitter apology followed a formal statement about the situation hours earlier:
We are aware of the problem with the Memorial Day tribute video shown in the ballpark between games of Monday’s doubleheader.
A pre-produced video from outside our front office was selected; unfortunately what was supposed to be a moving tribute ended with some misleading and offensive editing, which made a statement that was not our intent and certainly not our opinion.
We apologize to our fans and to our community for the error and for not properly vetting the video. We also apologize to those who have served and are currently serving the country for the undue distraction on such a solemn day.
Ironically, AOC was dead silent on Twitter over the Memorial Day weekend, which came and went without a single mention of the millions of Americans who lost their lives defending her freedoms.
AOC hasn’t commented on the social media site since May 23, when she posted complaints about the Sears Auto Center in Chula Vista, California closing down.
Regardless, folks online seemed to get a kick out of the video, and many don’t think an apology was necessary.
Never feel sorry for telling the truth no matter how much it hurts. AOC is an enemy of this country and everything it stands for.
— Cameron (@calisurfboy) May 28, 2019
“Ever feel sorry for telling the truth no matter how much it hurts,” Cameron posted. “AOC is an enemy of this country and everything it stands for.”
Those of us who really love America think the clip was spot on. No need to apologize for the truth.
— victoria kloch (@vKloch) May 28, 2019
“Those of us who really love America think the clip was spot on,” Victoria Kloch added. “No need to apologize for the truth.”
Others, of course, were deeply hurt by the “misleading and offensive editing.”
C’mon! Oversight?! Who edited this trash?! If it wasn’t edited in house whoever gave the OK to show it needs to be the person apologizing so that people can gauge sincerity.
— Big Ivra Jr (@IvraII) May 28, 2019
“C’mon! Oversight?! Who edited this trash?! If it wasn’t edited in house whoever gave the OK to show it needs to be the person apologizing so that people can gauge sincerity,” Big Lvra Jr. wrote.
Beyond belief – I have friends in Fresno, and will do everything possible to make sure they and their friends’ friends never set foot in your ballpark again. #FightFascism #WhiteTrumpAmerikkka
— Tom Meek (@TVCCS) May 28, 2019
“Beyond belief – I have friends in Fresno, and will do everything possible to make sure they and their friends’ friends never set foot in your ballpark again,” Tom Meek threatened.
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