Fundraiser raises over $340K for child targeted by racial slurs in Minnesota park

The Rochester Branch of the NAACP has raised more than $340,000 for the family of a 5-year-old child who reportedly had racial slurs hurled toward him while playing at a park in Rochester, Minn. on April 30.

Child reportedly targeted by racial slurs in Minnesota park

The fundraising effort comes after a viral video depicted a man confronting a woman, who has since identified herself as “Shiloh Hendrix”, holding a small child, and calling the Black child racial slurs, because they allegedly took something that belonged to her child.

Hendrix started her own fundraiser, which has raised more than $640,000. As a counter to Hendrix’s fundraiser, the Rochester Branch of NAACP started its own fundraiser in support of the child and his family.

“Let us be clear: this was not simply offensive behavior—it was an intentional racist, threatening, hateful and verbal attack against a child, and it must be treated as such. Public parks should be safe, inclusive spaces for children and families—not sites of hate and trauma. The Rochester Branch of the NAACP takes this matter with the utmost seriousness and is committed to pursuing justice and accountability,” the GoFundMe page reads.

The civil rights organization announced in a press release on May 3, that the GoFundMe campaign was stopped at the request of the child’s family. The funds from the campaign are going to “legal redress and social justice efforts” and “legal advocacy, accountability, and restorative efforts” for the child and his family, to the GoFundMe page continued.

On the fundraiser’s page, the Rochester Branch of NAACP said: “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who gave so generously in response to the painful and heartbreaking incident involving a young Black child who was subjected to racial hate at a public park. Your compassion, your solidarity, and your belief in love over hate have been overwhelming—and deeply moving.”

Investigation

The Rochester Police Department says it has completed an investigation into the incident at the park and the case has been submitted to the Rochester City Attorney’s office, MPRNews reports.

The Mankato Free Press reported that Rochester’s Mayor Kim Norton said “It was especially concerning that an adult used this language toward a young child — and the rest of the exchange in front of children and others.”