Wisconsin Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Francesca Hong’s 2020 Post Calling to Cancel Thanksgiving Resurfaces
A 2020 social-media post by Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Francesca Hong, in which she suggested cancelling Thanksgiving, has been highlighted as the primary election approaches.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong, who is backed by the Democratic Socialists of America, posted in November 2020 that Americans should "Cancel Thanksgiving" and referenced the 1621 colonial celebration and the smallpox epidemic that devastated Indigenous peoples. The post, now deleted, read: "Cancel Thanksgiving. Should have done this in 1621. If it takes a worldwide pandemic for us to realize we should stop celebrating colonialism and the original superspreader event that killed Indigenous folx and women, so be it."
The message has drawn attention as Hong emerges as a leading contender for the Wisconsin Democratic nomination, with the primary scheduled for Aug. 11. Hong has emphasized her progressive platform, which includes race-based grants for social workers, publicly funded grocery stores and a state-run bank, and has received endorsements from national progressives such as Rep. Ilhan Omar and Rep. Ro Khanna. Campaign finance filings show she has raised about $709,000, compared with $250,000 raised by rival Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who is endorsed by Gov. Tony Evers.
The resurfaced post has been cited by commentators on social media, some questioning Hong’s stance on the holiday. Fox News contacted Hong’s campaign for comment but did not receive a response.