A three-minute long video was played in a minor league baseball game between the Fresno Grizzlies and El Paso.
The video features audio from Ronald Reagan’s 1981 inaugural address – but around the three-minute mark, when the former president mentions “the enemies of freedom, those who are potential adversaries,” an image of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez appears, just after a photo of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and before that of former Cuban leader Fidel Castro.
The Grizzlies had a lame excuse and apology for the “pre-produced video from outside our front office.” Supposedly, no one in their right mind viewed the video comparing an American congresswoman to murderous dictators before it was aired.
“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,” the team stated.
— Fresno Grizzlies (@FresnoGrizzlies) May 28, 2019
“We’re embarrassed we allowed this video to play without seeing it in its entirety first. We unconditionally apologize to Rep. Ocasio-Cortez 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,” the team account tweeted.
However, Twitter isn’t having it. One Twitter user found a photo of the Grizzlies general manager, Derek Franks (@FranksBaseball), behind President Donald Trump at one of his rallies.
So the @AOC video was ‘an accident’ @FresnoGrizzlies ?
Here’s your GM at a trump MAGAt rally in Fresno.
Nope. Not buying it!!! Nor any tickets again-EVER! @FranksBaseball @Nationals @FresnoBee @BLinderLaw @PurpleR74875827 @NunesAlt @DevinCow https://t.co/o8rGqNrfU0
— Devin Nunes Cow’s BFF (@jackiefolsom191) May 28, 2019
Ocasio-Cortez responded once on Twitter because she has been receiving renewed death threats since the airing of the video.
“It’s always men who want to kill me,” she commented.
What people don’t (maybe do) realize is when orgs air these hateful messages, my life changes bc of the flood of death threats they inspire.
I‘ve had mornings where I wake up & the 1st thing I do w/ my coffee is review photos of the men (it’s always men) who want to kill me. https://t.co/hiYbPghad7
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) May 28, 2019
