Fundraiser allegedly for woman who used racial slur against child draws racist comments of support

NBC News

05-05-2025

An online fundraiser purported to be for a woman in Minnesota who admitted in a viral video to calling a child the N-word at a public park has garnered more than $675,000 in donations, many of which came with comments espousing white supremacist views.
Many of the racist comments were posted by anonymous users or those using racist handles, and some even seemed to refer to Nazi symbolism. Among those donating money were 'White Unity Will Unite,' 'Black excellence fatigue,' 'Aunt Jemima,' 'Whitestandstrong' and 'White rise.' The comments and the commenting function were later removed from the page.
'These young generations of whites are sick of the bullying, intimidation and being made to shut up about race issues,' WhiteTexasMommy wrote on the fundraising page while contributing $50. NBC News captured the comment in a screenshot before it was removed.
'They call us racist because we are white. Nothing will ever make them happy. They've been given trillions of dollars. They've been allowed into our schools and neighborhoods, forced upon us at every turn, and they still aren't happy,' donor Heywildrich wrote on another since-removed post before contributing $88.
Jacob Wells, a co-founder of the Christian crowd-funding platform GiveSendGo, said on social media that comments on the fundraiser had been disabled 'due to the unacceptable volume of racist and derogatory remarks.'
'We remain committed to ensuring all funds raised are delivered to the campaign recipients as intended,' he wrote. 'We unequivocally condemn the hateful comments that sought to fuel division and harmful narratives.'
Prohibited fundraising campaigns on GiveSendGo include those for abortions, gender reassignment surgery and illegal activities, as well as those impersonating people or organizations.
The fundraising page, related to an incident that took place April 28 in Rochester, Minnesota, appears to have been set up by a person with the same name as a woman who was recorded on video hurling racist slurs at a child of Somali heritage at a public park. She accused the child of stealing from her son's diaper bag.
A post on the fundraising site says that the woman's family had been threatened and that personal information about her, such as her Social Security number, her phone number and her address, were leaked.
NBC News hasn't verified whether the woman was the person in the video, nor whether she created the fundraising page. Attempts to reach her Monday weren't successful.
Heather Wilson, a co-founder of GiveSendGo, told NBC News on Sunday that the fundraiser hasn't cleared the company's full verification process. 'No funds will be disbursed until that process is completed, which includes verifying the identity of the campaign organizer and their connection to the intended recipient,' she said.
The Rochester branch of the NAACP also held a fundraiser to benefit the family of the child in the incident. 'Together, we raised $341,484. Love wins!' it said in a statement. 'In response to the family's wishes, we have now closed the GoFundMe page.'
'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,' the statement added.
On Monday, the Rochester Police Department said it had completed its investigation into the altercation and submitted its findings to the city attorney's office for review.
The video, shot by Sharmake Omar, 30, and verified by NBC News, quickly gained traction online last week.
Omar said that he intervened when he saw the woman berating the child and that she began using the slur repeatedly, which was captured in the video.
In the video, the woman, apparently carrying her child away, answers, 'Yeah,' when she is asked whether she called the youth the slur. 'He took my son's stuff,' she says.
Donations and comments poured in for the woman, who, according to the page, wants to use the money to relocate.
'Do not apologize. Do not be afraid. These people are cowards and we will show them their time is up,' an anonymous donor wrote in sending $10. 'Thank you for making a stand.'
Other donors, whose posts have also been taken down, took aim at Black people.
'Everyone who truly loves and cares for our people are supporting you every step of the way. Any race traitor will be sent back with the blacks,' wrote someone who donated $10 under the handle Snipa.