Last night, vandals trashed the Obama MN Campaign Headquarters in Saint Paul. Fortunately, no one was injured, but the vandals basically broke all of the windows and doors of the storefront office and paint was splatter both inside and outside the building.
News reports this morning there are no suspects, but Saint Paul police Chief John Harrington has asked Secret Service to get involved in the investigation and to ensure that this does not become a pattern. I have known Harrington for a number of years (not personally, but rather through his service to the city) and I have a great amount of trust that this matter will be taken seriously.
Local news report:
Kare 11 Article
If you happen to be in Saint Paul, please stop by the office and see if they need any help cleaning up or replacing destroyed supplies. These are dedicated volunteers to the Obama cause working out of a cramped, not very glamorous office space for our benefit and I imagine this is a disheartening event.
If you don't live in St. Paul, at least send them a note to let them know you support them and will stand by them! Address is 777 Raymond Avenue, Saint Paul MN 55114
Update Sunday afternoon:
Visited the MN Obama HQ and while boarded up and a little tattered, the spirits were high and there has been strong support for the office with many offers of volunteers. Below is a picture of the outside:
The staff have printed copies of an Obama sign and asking people to have their kids color it to cover up the plywood on the inside and brighten things up a bit. Window will be replaced by next Thursday.
Below is another picture showing the type of paint splatters in the office, and a list of things they need. We made a supply drop, but this is a big operation and could use your help!
But as Obama said "If I get punched, you rarely have not seen me hit back hard". Rally cry for the great staff at the MN HQ for Obama. I leave you with one final photo on the front door this morning:
YES WE CAN!