Minnesotans Gather At Loring Park To Support Somali Community
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Minnesotans gathered Sunday evening to show support for members of the Somali-American community who feel they are facing uncertain times.
The Coalition of Somali-American leaders and Minneapolis Foundation hosted the gathering at Loring Park in Minneapolis. Local Somalis said they have been confronted with hate and misunderstanding before and after the recent Presidential Election.
Minneapolis resident Farhiya Del has lived in the United States for 24 years. Del's four children were born and raised in Minnesota.
"I feel like we are not alone when I see this place is packed," Del said. "It is overwhelming."
Hundreds of people showed up to the park to show their support.
"I felt the pain this week but we are all together and we are going to be OK, we are going to stand," Del said.
Executive Director for the Minnesota Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN), Jaylani Hussein, said he feels President-elect Donald Trump's words may have contributed to anti-Muslim feelings in Minnesota, especially against Somali-Americans.
"Islamaphobia is real and it was something that existed before this election," Hussein said. "Examples of a Muslim woman being physically assaulted while trying to have dinner with her family, or five young kids going to prayer early in the morning being shot at."
At his rally last weekend in Minnesota, Trump told supporters Minnesota had "suffered enough" for taking in thousands of Somali refugees.
But Hussein is encouraged by Trump's victory speech in which he said he will be "president for all Americans."
"We have to respect the outcome of the election and accept it," Hussein said "That's part of our democracy."
Organizers want to hold similar gatherings across the state, not just in Minneapolis. Minnesota was the first state to elect a Muslim representative to the U.S. Congress in 2006, Keith Ellison.
Last week, Minnesota became the first state to elect a Somali-American, Muslim woman to the Minnesota House of Representatives, Ilhan Omar.