The Somali community in Minneapolis is grappling with heightened harassment and fear following allegations of fraud against local day care centers. Business owners, such as Fardowsa Ali of Albi Kitchen, report a significant decline in customers and have received threatening phone calls since conservative content creator Nick Shirley posted a video making these allegations. Ali’s restaurant, once bustling with diners craving Somali dishes, now faces an atmosphere of intimidation.
In her own words, Ali stated, “It’s really sad. I called police because one guy called here and said he was going to come here and break everything.” The fallout from Shirley’s video has not only affected her business but has also led to a broader climate of fear within the local Somali community. Reports indicate that some day care facilities have been vandalized, and parents are hesitant to send their children to school.
The backlash has intensified anxiety among the Somali population in Minnesota, which has been palpable ever since then-President Donald Trump made derogatory remarks about the community in December 2022. He sent immigration enforcement to the state, marking the Twin Cities as a target for his deportation efforts, previously seen in cities like Los Angeles and Chicago.
Impact on Local Businesses and Families
According to Jaylani Hussein, the executive director of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, this “climate of fear is disrupting livelihoods, separating families, and undermining the sense of safety and belonging for an entire community.” Business owners report that Somali restaurants and coffee shops have seen a sharp decline in patrons, leaving many nearly empty last week.
The implications of Shirley’s video extend beyond restaurants. Day care providers like Kassim Busuri have experienced an onslaught of phone calls and threats while trying to maintain a nurturing environment for children. Busuri, who operates a facility near Minneapolis, described receiving numerous inquiries that distract from essential caregiving activities. “We need to focus on our children that we care for,” he emphasized.
On March 15, 2024, the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families stated that investigators visited the centers named in the fraud allegations, confirming that most were operating as expected, except for one that was not yet open for families.
Community Response and Advocacy
The allegations of fraud have drawn unwelcome scrutiny on a community that values small business ownership and cultural ties. The Somali presence in Minnesota has grown substantially over the past three decades, with the Minneapolis-St. Paul area now home to approximately 84,000 individuals of Somali descent, making it the largest Somali population in the United States.
Activists are working to defend the reputation of their community, asserting that the majority are not involved in criminal activities. Khalid Omar, a community organizer with the nonprofit ISAIAH, criticized Shirley’s video for inciting hate and scapegoating the Somali community. He stressed the importance of accountability for those who commit fraud but condemned the framing of an entire community based on the actions of a few.
While Edward Ahmed Mitchell, national deputy director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, characterized the backlash as “pure racism,” he noted that it is crucial to recognize the contributions of Somali residents who are integral to Minnesota’s economy and civic life. “When an entire community is stigmatized, the impact is immediate,” Hussein added.
As the situation continues to unfold, the Somali community in Minneapolis faces not only the challenge of rebuilding trust but also the urgent need for solidarity and advocacy against unwarranted scrutiny.
