Citizens Rally to Rebuke Racist Message on Rochester Pedestrian Bridge

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- Citizens braved a cloudy and cold April morning to spread a message of love and unity at a Rochester bridge that was vandalized by a racial slur last week. 

Read More: Rochester Police Request Public's Help in Racist Graffiti Case

The slur drew condemnations from the Rochester Chapter of the NAACP, Rochester Public School District and City of Rochester. 

Rochester Police say the message was reported around 6:20 a.m. on April 14 and had been taken down by a Minnesota State Trooper who was driving in the area around the same time as the call. 

Authorities are continuing to look for the persons or persons responsible for placing the message. Police issued a request for public assistance for tips in the case last week. 

The Rochester NAACP organized the “Not in our Town Community Rally'' in response to the racist act. Attendees walked across the bridge and Volunteers spelled out “Love Wins” on the bridge’s fencing.  

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The event participants then came together in a gathering space at the foot of the bridge’s onramp. 

The NAACP is also planning a series of what it describes as a face-to-face Townhall meetings this week. 

The meetings will bring together local students, local NAACP leaders, and members of the Rochester NAACP Youth Council to "facilitate meaningful dialogue and address concerns about racism and discrimination." 

The NAACP Rochester Branch says elected leaders, community leaders, law enforcement officials, and families are being asked to participate in an effort to ensure that "such acts of hate have no place in our community."

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