Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Social Issues
Catharine Richert
Rochester, Minn.

Rochester police investigating racial slur on bridge

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Updated: 2:30 p.m.

Rochester police say they are investigating a racial slur posted on a pedestrian bridge over the weekend.

Law enforcement was sent to the bridge, which crosses a busy road over East Circle Drive, after the slur was called in to dispatch around dawn Sunday morning. State Patrol was first to respond and removed the cups that spelled out the derogatory term before local police could arrive.

Pictures of the slur have been circulating online, prompting the school district to condemn the action.

While the bridge is not on school property, it is near Century High School. 

“We understand and share the hurt this has caused to people in our community, especially to our Black and brown students,” said a statement from Rochester Public Schools. “We want to reiterate that hate language, in any form, has no place within our RPS community.”

Meanwhile, the City of Rochester wrote in a statement that: “As a City organization, we strongly condemn this action. Racism, language that perpetuates hate and all prejudice contradicts the values the City holds.”

In a statement, the Rochester NAACP branch condemned the incident.

“This reprehensible act not only undermines the values of our community but also sends a disturbing message to our youth who should feel safe and respected,” it read. “It is deeply disheartening that such bigotry and ignorance persist in our midst, especially in an area where our impressionable high school students can witness it firsthand.”

The local NAACP said it will host a rally, on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the bridge, and upcoming town hall meetings.