2nd group calls for hate crime investigation
Mahdi Haile
July 14, 2010
By Dave Aeikens SCitimes.com.
Saint Cloud Times news .
A Minneapolis-based Somali advocacy group has added to the calls for a federal investigation into vandalism reported Thursday at Hormud market in St. Cloud.
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The Center For Somali Solutions of Minnesota had representatives in St. Cloud on Sunday meeting with local Somali leaders and the owner of the store at 3360 Division St. The words "Go Home" had been painted on the store's front windows last week.
The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations in St. Paul on Friday asked the FBI to investigate it as a hate crime because it comes after at least three other incidents in the past seven months in St. Cloud.
"We are condemning this incident. It is the latest ugly incident that we learn from St. Cloud," said Mahdi Haile, executive director of the Center for Somali Solutions of Minnesota.
It is unclear if the FBI will get involved. A spokesman for the FBI said the agency looks at all complaints it receives and determines if it meets federal jurisdiction and is a priority.
"(It's unclear) whether there would be enough to open an investigation. We'd have to look at that," said Special Agent E.K. Wilson, a spokesman for the FBI. The FBI does not acknowledge if an investigation is ongoing.
St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis said he visited with store owner Habred Jibril Friday. He said he told the owner that the act of vandalism was not indicative of the city.
"When individuals do stupid things like that, I don't understand. I can never understand when people do vandalism," Kleis said.
The paint was removed shortly after it was discovered and business at the Hormud Meat and Grocery Market continued as normal.
The incident is the latest in a series of bias incidents against St. Cloud area Somalis and Muslims. In December, a Waite Park man post fliers near the Islamic Center and a Somali-owned clothing store disparaging Islam.
In April, a New Hope man pleaded guilty to making terroristic threats after posting a response to a Craigslist notice for a Somali cultural night at St. Cloud State University.
In June, the federal government announced it would investigate allegations of discrimination against Somali students in St. Cloud schools.
Haile said his organization has not been involved in previous acts of bias against Somalis. He said the center plans to be a voice for Somali people in St. Cloud. The center is a nonprofit advocating for Somalis in the Minneapolis area since 2005.
"We have decided to also assure our people in the community in St. Cloud that Somalis are no threat and they are part of the immigration that has been coming to U.S.," Haile said. "Even though they are Muslim, they are not terrorists or threats to anybody. We would like to make people understand our culture and our religion and coexist together so we can realize our differences but also unite as Americans."
Saint Cloud Times news .
A Minneapolis-based Somali advocacy group has added to the calls for a federal investigation into vandalism reported Thursday at Hormud market in St. Cloud.
Quantcast
The Center For Somali Solutions of Minnesota had representatives in St. Cloud on Sunday meeting with local Somali leaders and the owner of the store at 3360 Division St. The words "Go Home" had been painted on the store's front windows last week.
The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations in St. Paul on Friday asked the FBI to investigate it as a hate crime because it comes after at least three other incidents in the past seven months in St. Cloud.
"We are condemning this incident. It is the latest ugly incident that we learn from St. Cloud," said Mahdi Haile, executive director of the Center for Somali Solutions of Minnesota.
It is unclear if the FBI will get involved. A spokesman for the FBI said the agency looks at all complaints it receives and determines if it meets federal jurisdiction and is a priority.
"(It's unclear) whether there would be enough to open an investigation. We'd have to look at that," said Special Agent E.K. Wilson, a spokesman for the FBI. The FBI does not acknowledge if an investigation is ongoing.
St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis said he visited with store owner Habred Jibril Friday. He said he told the owner that the act of vandalism was not indicative of the city.
"When individuals do stupid things like that, I don't understand. I can never understand when people do vandalism," Kleis said.
The paint was removed shortly after it was discovered and business at the Hormud Meat and Grocery Market continued as normal.
The incident is the latest in a series of bias incidents against St. Cloud area Somalis and Muslims. In December, a Waite Park man post fliers near the Islamic Center and a Somali-owned clothing store disparaging Islam.
In April, a New Hope man pleaded guilty to making terroristic threats after posting a response to a Craigslist notice for a Somali cultural night at St. Cloud State University.
In June, the federal government announced it would investigate allegations of discrimination against Somali students in St. Cloud schools.
Haile said his organization has not been involved in previous acts of bias against Somalis. He said the center plans to be a voice for Somali people in St. Cloud. The center is a nonprofit advocating for Somalis in the Minneapolis area since 2005.
"We have decided to also assure our people in the community in St. Cloud that Somalis are no threat and they are part of the immigration that has been coming to U.S.," Haile said. "Even though they are Muslim, they are not terrorists or threats to anybody. We would like to make people understand our culture and our religion and coexist together so we can realize our differences but also unite as Americans."
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