Overview

• Shiloh Hendricks was filmed calling a 5-year-old Black autistic child the N-word at Soldiers Field Memorial Park in Rochester, Minnesota, sparking widespread condemnation after the video went viral.
• Hendricks launched a GiveSendGo fundraiser titled 'Help Me Protect My Family,' claiming her personal information was leaked and her family was threatened; the campaign has raised over $500,000 as of May 3, 2025.
• The Rochester NAACP Branch responded by creating its own fundraiser for the targeted child’s family, surpassing $320,000 to support legal advocacy and social justice initiatives.
• The Rochester Police Department has confirmed it is actively investigating the incident, which has also prompted calls for legal accountability from civil rights groups and local leaders.
• Social media platforms have witnessed misinformation and harassment, including debunked claims about the man who filmed the incident, Sharmake Omar, linking him to past legal issues.