Rochester & Surrounding Community Residents Demand Candidate Denounce Racist Mailer

The Letter

All students deserve the freedom to learn an honest history of our nation, both the good and the bad, so they can learn from our mistakes and create a better future for all Minnesotans.

But certain politicians and the national big money group, “Make Liberty Win”, are trying to turn Minnesotans against our educators and the public funding that our students need, so they can ban accurate, age-appropriate lessons about the role of racism, gender and civil rights in America. Hatred is dangerous to all of us. When hate is weaponized for political gain, Minnesotans recognize this craven strategy for what it is: an attempt to divide us, distract us, and prevent us from uniting around the real solutions our communities need.  

On Monday, residents across the communities of Rochester and Oronoco began receiving a piece of hateful political propaganda in their mailboxes. This mailer directly and explicitly weaponizes race, gender, and our children's education to advance fear and division in our community.

The timing, targeting, and purpose of this mailer are entirely intentional. This hateful mailer appeared in mailboxes to sow fear in our community as we undertake our sacred, civic duty at the ballot box. As we've seen in recent years, this kind of rhetoric is dangerous. It has led to real violence and threats of violence against communities of color, teachers, and LGBTQ folks.

At a time when Minnesotans should be uniting around shared values and a common vision for our future, this mailer was devised and disseminated by the national dark money group “Make Liberty Win.” “Make Liberty Win” has endorsed local candidate Wendy Phillips for the Minnesota House, and she has willingly accepted their endorsement. She must not remain silent about the race- and gender-based fear-mongering perpetuated on her behalf.

As concerned residents of Rochester and surrounding areas who want to see our community grow stronger and celebrate our diversity, we demand that Ms. Phillips publicly denounce this mailer. If she chooses to remain silent or defend this propaganda piece, it will be a clear signal to our entire community that this mailer is an accurate representation of Ms. Phillips' own political beliefs and personal character.

Citizens of Rochester, Oronoco, Oronoco Township, Cascade Township, and Haverhill Township are greater than the hatred and fear that outside forces would foist upon us. Honesty, integrity, and acceptance of our increasingly diverse community will prevail on November 8th.

Signed, 

This letter is for anyone who lives or works in the Rochester, Oronco, or surrounding community.