“We know that we’re champions, our parents know that we’re champions and the team’s parents know we’re champions and Chicago knows we’re champions,” said JRW catcher Brandon Green. Green said the players did nothing wrong as he stood with his mother, Rev. Jesse Jackson and Fr. Michael Pfleger at the headquarters of Rainbow Push.
“It is amazing to me that whenever African-Americans exceed the expectations, that there is always going to be fault,” Venisa Green said.
Venisa Green said Little League officals were bullied into taking away JRW’s championship.“Little League says that they teach character and they teach courage, well this isn’t an act of courage and it sure isn’t an act of character,” she said.
Fr. Michael Pfleger called the decision racist. “You need to reverse your decision and you need to do it now,” Fr. Pfleger said.Rev. Jesse Jackson also suggested race was behind the decision.
“This is persecution,” Jackson said. “This is not right, it is unnecessary and it is not fair.”He said the adults should be punished but not the kids.Everyone at Rainbow Push Headquarters said there were other, more fair options.