(Photo: REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton)

UPDATE:

The Jackie Robinson Foundation has put up a $40,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person responsible for vandalizing the former Brooklyn Dodger's statue with hateful messages.

The organization said it received two donations Friday for the reward, according to the Associated Press. This brings the reward money total to $50,000 as The Daily News is offering $10,000. 

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A statue depicting the legendary baseball player Jackie Robinson has been vandalized with racial slurs, a shameful act that has sparked outrage among New York City residents and fans of the late player's legacy.

Early Wednesday, the markings were found on the statue located outside of Brooklyn, New York's Coney Island MCU Park. The disgusting words read, "Hile (sic) Hitler,” “Die N----r” and “F--k Jackie Robinson and all N------s.” 

The graffiti tarnishes the message behind the figure of Brooklyn Dodgers' Pee Wee Reese and Robinson. The artwork commemorates the moment when Reese walked over to first base from shortstop and put his hand around Robinson’s shoulders, after racist hecklers from a Cincinnati dugout taunted the African-American player. 

The New York Daily News is now offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the culprit responsible for the act. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS.
The Daily News reports:

The desecration drew fiery denunciations from a slew of politicians and former baseball stars — including one of Robinson’s last living teammates, Ralph Branca.

“I have no idea why anyone would do that,” Branca, 87, told the Daily News. “The statue signified a great moment in American history.”
Sen. Chuck Schumer, in a surprise visit to the site, lashed out at the perpetrator.

“I hope you’re punished for what you did because what [you] did put a dagger in the heart of what America is all about,” Schumer said.
Read full story here.

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