The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today said political and community leaders must speak out against President Donald Trump’s latest racist post targeting Somali Americans.
The post shows ordinary Somali American at the Mall of America and states, “This is literally the Mall of America in Minnesota.”
In a statement, CAIR-MN Executive Director Jaylani Hussein said:
“What the video shows is ordinary life. Families shopping. Women in hijab walking with their children. People moving through one of the most visited public spaces in our state. Setting those images to dark music and pairing them with harmful and unsupported claims is not commentary. It is an attempt to make ordinary Somali life look suspicious.
“This latest racist post by President Trump is not an isolated incident. It is part of a long and troubling pattern of racist and dehumanizing rhetoric targeting Somali Americans and Muslims. When public figures use their platforms to spread hate and misinformation, it puts real people at risk. Political and community leaders must speak out clearly and unequivocally against this kind of racism and bigotry.”
Last month, CAIR-MN similarly condemned racist remarks targeting Somali Americans and Somalia by President Trump. CAIR also condemned Trump’s repeated and racially charged attacks on the Somali-American community during his State of the Union address.
Also last month, CAIR-MN condemned legislation introduced by Congressman Pete Stauber titled the “Stop Fraud by SOMALIA Act,” calling the bill’s name and framing discriminatory and deeply irresponsible.
CAIR-MN noted that Minnesota is home to one of the largest Somali populations in the United States, and rhetoric targeting Somali people has historically been followed by increases in harassment, threats, and bias incidents directed at Muslim and immigrant communities.
The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) is a civil rights and advocacy organization dedicated to enhancing understanding of Islam, protecting civil liberties, empowering American Muslims, and building coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Suleiman Adan
Deputy Executive Director, CAIR-MN
612-408-7183
Jaylani Hussein
Executive Direcotr
612-406-0070