Minnesota NAACP closes fundraiser for black child at center of viral playground racial incident

The Rochester, Minnesota, branch of the NAACP has closed its fundraiser for the child at the center of a viral video taken at a local playground. The fundraiser was closed at the request of the family. The viral video featured a local mother being recorded by a TikToker after an alleged confrontation with another child, in which racial slurs were used. It was for that child that the fundraiser was launched.

The Rochester Branch of the NAACP wrote on its fundraising page for the child in a May 3 update, "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."

At the time the fundraiser was closed, $341,594 was raised. The fundraiser had a goal of $150,000, per KTTC.

The group said in a statement on Sunday that they had been in contact with the family, and "the family has conveyed to us that they have not given anyone permission to speak on their behalf." The family was "aware and supportive" of the local NCAAP branch’s fundraiser, and expressed that they are "unaware and have not authorized any other GoFundMe that has been created in their name."

"The family have conveyed that at this time, all updates related to this incident will come from the Rochester Branch of the NAACP, the City of Rochester Police Department, the City of Rochester Attorney’s Office, and other appropriate government authorities."

A video of the incident in question went viral. It was recorded by a Somali TikToker at a local playground who confronted Minnesota mother Shiloh Hendrix. The TikToker asked the woman, "Did you call the child the n-word?" She replied, "The f*ck you talking about. Mind your f*cking business."

The TikToker said, "It is my business. Did you call him that?" Hendrix flipped him off and when taunted to say the n-word again, she calls him the name.  Hendrix was subsequently doxxed, and has launched her own fundraiser. 

In the fundraiser, Hendrix explained, "recently had a kid steal from my 18-month-old son's diaper bag at a park. I called the kid out for what he was. Another man, who we recently found out has had a history with law enforcement, proceeded to record me and follow me to my car. He then posted these videos online which has caused my family, and myself, great turmoil. My SSN has been leaked. My address, and phone number have been given out freely. My family members are being attacked. My eldest child may not be going back to school. Even where I exercise has been exposed."

"I am asking for your help to assist in protecting my family," she continues. "I fear that we must relocate. I have two small children who do not deserve this. We have been threatened to the extreme by people online. Anything will help! We cannot, and will not live in fear!"

As of Monday morning, Hendrix’s fundraiser has raised $658,907.