Legal Action Against Shiloh Hendrix for Racial Slur Incident at Rochester Park
The Rochester City Attorney's Office is taking legal action against Shiloh Hendrix, who was captured on video using a racial slur at a park in Rochester. The draft complaint charges her with three counts of disorderly conduct, each carrying a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. The video, originally posted on TikTok, shows Hendrix using the racial slur towards a Black child at Roy Sutherland Playground. Despite the video being deleted, it gained significant attention on social media, with one repost garnering over 15 million views and 1.3 million engagements.
The City Attorney's Office acknowledged the delay in the charging decision, citing the complexity of the case and the impact it has on communities of color and the broader community. Mayor Kim Norton expressed her response to the filing, acknowledging the turmoil caused by the incident. The Rochester branch of NAACP organized a community forum and launched a fundraising campaign to support the family of the child targeted by Hendrix in the video, raising over $340,000. However, there were false claims from multiple families, and the NAACP has identified the correct family and placed the funds in a trust.
A fundraising campaign for Hendrix has also been ongoing, collecting over $800,000 with a $1 million goal. The legal action against Hendrix highlights the seriousness of the incident and the impact it has had on the community. It serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing racial discrimination and promoting inclusivity in society.