The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and its Minnesota chapter (CAIR-MN) today called on law enforcement authorities and public officials to take concrete actions to protect Somali-American day care centers and businesses that have been targeted with threats and harassment as children return to these centers in the wake of the holiday season ending.
A controversial and largely-debunked social media video of a conservative influencer showing up outside of day care centers in Minnesota has sparked a wave of copycat incidents in which white supremacists and social media influencers show up at similar institutions and demand access to children.
CNN reports: “Since the video was posted, Ali and other business owners and families in the state’s deeply rooted Somali community have said they were threatened, harassed and bullied on social media. A day care facility was vandalized and parents are afraid to send their children to school. Somali restaurants and coffee shops that once bustled with patrons were nearly empty last week and people are scared to show up to their jobs.”
CNN also reports that in the wake of the viral video: “[S]tate officials said the child care centers accused of fraud in the video were all operating as expected when visited by investigators. The state’s initial findings cast doubt on the claims of fraud articulated in the viral video.
[NOTE: Last month, CAIR-MN called for an investigation of a possible bias motive for a reported act of vandalism targeting a Somali-run day care in Minneapolis.]
According to NBC: “In the days since Christmas, conservative content creators have been showing up at day care centers from Ohio to Washington state, recording videos of themselves trying to interview employees and expressing suspicion over whether the centers are legitimate businesses. Like Minnesota, Ohio and Washington also have significant Somali populations.”
In a joint statement, CAIR National Director Nihad Awad and CAIR-MN Executive Director Jaylani Hussein said:
“Baseless and inflammatory allegations targeting an entire community are putting innocent people in danger. Somali-American parents are afraid to send their children to school, workers fear showing up to their jobs, and small businesses are suffering, all because of reckless rhetoric dehumanizing a community that has long been an integral part of Minnesota and this nation.
“We are deeply concerned for the safety and welfare of children attending day care centers who are now facing heightened risks due to unauthorized individuals attempting to access facilities, as well as the very real danger that predators, including those seeking to exploit chaos and fear, may take advantage of this moment. Children must never be placed at risk because of misinformation, harassment, or politically motivated hate campaigns.
“Law enforcement authorities must protect Somali-Americans, their businesses and religious institutions. Public officials at every level must unequivocally condemn this hate, ensure law enforcement authorities take threats, harassment, and vandalism seriously, and hold accountable those who incite this hate-filled intimidation of an entire minority community. We strongly encourage day care providers and other targeted businesses to use the full extent of the law against any and all threats to children, staff, and families, as well as against coordinated efforts to defame businesses and target an entire community.
“Given the volume and severity of online threats and coordinated hate activity, we are also calling for the FBI to review potential criminal threats, organized harassment, and online targeting of the Somali community. Protecting children, families and small businesses from hate-driven harm is not optional, it is a fundamental responsibility of public figures.”
[NOTE: Over the past three years, Minnesota has faced the worst level of mosque attacks in the nation, with more than 40 incidents and over $3 million in damages. Arson has been on the rise, with six separate incidents in recent years, including three serious arsons.]
CAIR-MN has previously condemned racist and dishonest attacks on Rep. Ilhan Omar and the broader Somali-American community and has repeatedly warned that such rhetoric can lead to harassment, discrimination, and violence.
CAIR-MN: Minnesota Rep. Tom Emmer calls for deportation of Somali-American citizens – CBS
CAIR-MN: Trump administration freezes child care payments to Minnesota amid federal investigation into alleged fraud – CNN
Last year, CAIR released its 2025 Civil Rights Report, Unconstitutional Crackdowns, which reveals that Islamophobia remains at record-high levels nationwide.
CAIR-MN is the state’s leading Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization. Its mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACTS: Jaylani Hussein, Executive Director, CAIR-MN, 612-406-0070, jhussein@cair.com; Suleiman Adan, Deputy Executive Director, CAIR-MN — 612-408-7183, sadan@cair.com; CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com