Following reports of fliers with racist messages and language in St. Paul’s Merriam Park area, community leaders will host a public event Wednesday to hear updates from law enforcement and next steps for community members.
Organized by Hamline Midway Coalition, Bethlehem Lutheran In-The-Midway and Union Park District Council, the event will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran In-The-Midway church at 436 Roy St. N. in St. Paul.
“Bethlehem Round Tables are an opportunity for us to gather as community & neighbors around topics that bring us joy, break our hearts, and give us hope for the neighborhood,” Bethlehem Lutheran In-The-Midway posted on its Facebook page earlier this month. “In recent weeks, vile, hateful flyers have circulated through our neighborhoods — causing pain, fear, and frustration. This community conversation is a space to come together — not to amplify that hate, but to respond with facts, connection, and care.”
St. Paul police first responded to reports of the fliers in the Merriam Park area Oct. 2. Officers met with a resident who found fliers with “racially motivated biases” in the street of the 1600 block of Sherburne Avenue, according to police, at the time.
Officers also recovered laminated fliers with hate speech from the 400 block of Fry Street the same afternoon.
Police also responded to other areas to collect fliers including Cleveland Avenue between Roblyn Avenue and Carroll Avenue, Feronia Avenue between Prior Avenue and Lynhurst Avenue and the 2000 block of St. Anthony Avenue between Dewey Street and Prior Avenue.
Police were investigating the fliers at the time and that additional officers were canvassing the neighborhood. Residents at Wednesday’s meeting will learn more about what they should do if they find additional flyers, how to report them, and what laws apply.
Residents who find similar fliers are encouraged call 911 and report their location, according to the event organizers.
The event also will focus on next steps to bring community together.
“We’ll explore how neighbors, faith communities, district councils, and local partners can stand together — countering hate with connection, storytelling, and collective care,” according to the event description.
To register to attend the event in person or to receive an email with a Zoom link, go to tinyurl.com/58ewpw2t. Participants must register to in order to join by Zoom. Food will be provided for in-person attendees.
Residents who find additional fliers also are encouraged to file an online police report at stpaul.gov/departments/police/file-police-report.
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