Woman admits to vandalizing ELC duck

A 63-year-old Red Wing woman admitted to vandalizing the large concrete duck the Environmental Learning Center uses for fundraising, the Red Wing Police Department reported.

The woman’s name has not been released because she has not yet been formally charged, Chief Tim Sletten said.

An anonymous caller reported Sept. 3 that the duck had been vandalized while it was parked in the 400 block of East Seventh Street. Anti-gay statements were spray painted and written on the duck’s chest and tail, including some referencing to Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.

Repairs for the duck will cost just more than $250, Sletten said.

The woman said she did it because, “her opinions were different from others’ opinions,” Sletten said. “She had nothing against the people who rented the duck.”

Since spring, Red Wing residents have been able to rent the duck, which is attached to a trailer, and park it in front of their neighbors’ houses. The money raised is used to support ELC programs.

The Red Wing Human Rights Commission released a statement last week expressing “its deep regret and disappointment that such activity took place in our community.”

“All Red Wing citizens deserve to be treated with respect and dignity,” the statement said.

The HRC added that it has offered support to the homeowner and the Red Wing PFLAG organization.

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