Help Us Seek Justice for a 5-Year-Old Facing Racial Hate

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Love Wins! Rochester Branch of the NAACP Stands with 5-year old child

https://www.naacprochestermn.org/s/05-3-25-NAACP-Rochester-Press-Release-Love-Wins-Rochester-Branch-of-the-NAACP-Stands-with-5-year-old.pdf

Rochester, MN – 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.

From the beginning, this campaign was rooted in a powerful truth: no child should ever be dehumanized, and love must always be louder than hate. People from across the country and around the world responded, sending a clear message that this child, this family, and this moment matter.

The Rochester Branch of the NAACP acted swiftly in response to the verbal assault and emotional harm captured in the now widely shared video. With care and positive intention, we launched a GoFundMe campaign to support the young victim and his family.

Thanks to your outpouring of support, we not only met our goal—we surpassed it. , $,. ! In response to the family’s wishes, we have now closed the GoFundMe page.

In alignment with State NAACP guidance, 100% of this money, minus standard GoFundMe fees, will be given to the family in a trust account with the parents serving as executors. The responsibility of the trust account will rest solely with the family, as it should. The creation of this trust reflects the spirit in which these donations were made—out of love, protection, and a desire to support the long-term well-being of the child and family. : No member of the Rochester Branch of the NAACP has received - or will receive - funds from these donations.

We stand in full solidarity with the child and his family—and with all those who believe in building a community where dignity, justice, and love prevail. We are united in saying “ ”.

In Solidarity,

The Rochester Branch of the NAACP

https://www.naacprochestermn.org/s/05-3-25-NAACP-Rochester-Press-Release-Love-Wins-Rochester-Branch-of-the-NAACP-Stands-with-5-year-old.pdf

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On April 30, 2025, in a City of Rochester public park, a white woman launched a racist and hateful verbal assault on a defenseless 5-year-old Black child—who, according to reports, is also on the autism spectrum. She called him the n-word, and when confronted by a bystander, she didn’t back down. Instead, she repeated the slur multiple times and attempted to justify her actions by blaming the child. At no point did she show any remorse.

Let us be clear: this was not a misunderstanding or a moment of poor judgment—this was a deliberate, racist, and threatening attack on a young Black child. Public parks should be safe, welcoming places for all children and families—not sites of hate and trauma.

The Rochester Branch of the NAACP is taking this matter with the utmost seriousness. We are standing up for this child, his family, and every member of our community who deserves to live free from racist violence and intimidation.

Shockingly, the woman responsible for this hateful act has launched a fundraising campaign for herself and has raised nearly $150,000 in less than 24 hours. Many of the comments from her supporters celebrate and justify her hate.

We’ve been asked by countless community members how they can help. This campaign is our answer.

All funds from this campaign will go towards the affected child and family including:

• Legal redress and social justice efforts in support of the child and family.

• Legal advocacy, accountability, and restorative efforts, also in support of the child and family.

Community members wishing to support our broader social justice and anti-racism work – to change the culture and ensure this never happens again – are encouraged to donate directly to our Rochester Branch of the NAACP’s Fighting Fund for Freedom.

https://rochesterbranchnaacp.betterworld.org/donate

This is about more than one incident. It’s about who we are as a community and what we choose to stand for. Help us match the funds raised in defense of hate with an equal force of love, justice, and action.

Let’s turn outrage into impact. Stand with us. Stand for this child. Justice must be served.