US Attorney General Eric Holder was in Minneapolis this past Friday for a conference on “youth violence” and then held a meeting with Somalis to discuss issues relating to the disappearance of some Somali youths (refugees who threw away the American Dream) to go to Africa to become Jihadists and the Somali youths who are being prosecuted for sex trafficking crimes.
From AP (Hat tip: Lynn):
MINNEAPOLIS — U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder visited Minneapolis Friday to praise the city for its program to reduce youth violence, but was interrupted several times by outbursts from protesters who claim the government has been unfairly targeting anti-war activists in a federal investigation.
Holder was in Minnesota to headline a conference on youth violence prevention, and to meet with young adults from the area’s Somali community — who have felt under fire in recent years as authorities investigate the travels of men who returned to Somalia to possibly fight with a terror group.
He also held a larger closed-door town hall meeting with area Muslims to talk about their concerns about law enforcement and “Islamophobia.”
The meeting was interrupted by anti-war protesters, please visit the article for the complete story on Holder’s meeting.
After the conference, Holder held a town hall meeting with Somalis:
He [Holder] said reducing youth violence is a “moral calling” and one of the most important tasks in shaping the nation’s future. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak said the program has led to a reduction in the numbers of youths involved in violent crime, including youth victims.
After the conference, Holder met with young adults in the Somali community, and held a larger town hall with members of the wider Muslim community.
U.S. Attorney for Minnesota B. Todd Jones, who was with Holder all day, said the attorney general met with the young Somali adults because that age group has been affected by the men who traveled to Somalia to possibly join al-Shabab, as well as a more recent federal investigation into human trafficking of young girls for sex.
“I don’t think it’s lost on anybody that we have some attention to pay to these issues involving Somali youth,” Jones said. He said Holder met with those ages 18-29 for about 40 minutes.
“They’re concerned about issues of profiling, harassment, perceptions of harassment. They are concerned about Islamophobia, being targeted, and the demonization of their religion, to a certain degree,” he said.
Jones said the group had suggestions for law enforcement and prosecutors. He declined to be specific.
“The AG did a lot of listening,” Jones said. “He very much appreciated the opportunity to hear from folks in an unfiltered way.”
Jones said the prosecutions have ramifications in the community when it comes to perceptions and stereotyping, and the overarching theme was that many felt they were being “demonized” for their religion. Jones said he and Holder made it clear the Department of Justice doesn’t prosecute communities, and works to protect communities from hate crimes.
Abdirizak Bihi, director of the Somali Education and Social Advocacy Center, attended the town hall meeting and said he was impressed.
He said Holder seems to genuinely care about civil rights issues Somalis face. Holder talked to the group about the different ways they can fight discrimination and how important it is for police to help them do that, Bihi said. Holder also distributed material on legal advocacy resources.
“I was very glad that he was well-immersed on the issue,” Bihi said, adding that Holder made it clear that part of his job was to protect Americans from domestic and foreign terrorists.
Why Somalis and why now?
Saeed Fahia,* executive director of the Confederation of Somali Community in Minnesota, said he was impressed to see so many powerful African Americans together — referring to Holder, Jones and U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison.
Fahia said he thought the meeting was productive, but that his most important question for Holder was never answered.
“Why did he feel he needed to meet with Somalis as opposed to other groups?” he asked. “Why Somalis and why now?”
Indeed! That is the question! I think Holder and Homeland Security know more than they are letting the public know. Holder is fully aware that if the Somalis continue to bring attention on themselves through crime or terrorism it would stymie Far Left plans to bring about their borderless socialist dream world. Holder and his friends (Tom Perez included) surely think the colonization of America that they encourage will work in their political favor—I think they are sorely mistaken. Islamists will not be Marxists in the end.
*We have written previously about Mr. Bihi (who has seemed rather harmless) but Saeed Fahia is another story. Please visit this 2009 post we wrote about him and his organization which works with the likes of SEIU and receives taxpayer funded grants.