Yesterday we told you that Omar Jamal, probably the one and only member of the Somali Justice Advocacy Center, was heading to New York to seek “justice” for the Somali pirate, the only living one, who faces charges in the now infamous Maersk Alabama hijacking. But it seems his highly publicized involvement is bringing down the wrath of Minnesota State House Minority leader, Rep Marty Seifert.
This is so juicy! Thanks to ever-watchful friends in Tennessee for sending it. From the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Twin Cities activist Omar Jamal said Tuesday he has helped ensure that a suspected pirate is treated justly while in federal custody in New York.
But if a Minnesota legislative leader has his way, it will be the last pirate Jamal helps.
Jamal, executive director of the Somali Justice Advocacy Center in St. Paul, said that he spoke Monday with the parents of suspected pirate Abdiwali Abdiqadir Muse and that he has been consulting with Muse’s attorneys. He said he intended to be in court Tuesday, but Muse’s public defender said his presence wouldn’t be necessary.
But House Minority Leader Marty Seifert, R-Marshall, responding to “tons of e-mails” from people he said were outraged by Jamal’s actions, said he will seek to block nonprofit status and state grants to any organization that helps foreign citizens accused of piracy or terrorism.
Rep. Seifert says he is introducing legislation to disallow Jamal from getting tax payer funding for his non-profit group.
“Not one dime of taxpayer money if you jet off to New York to support a pirate.”
Funny thing is, I just went to Guidestar and although the Somali Justice Advocacy Center is listed, care of Omar Jamal, there is not one bit of information on file—no IRS determination letter, no financial reports, no Form 990’s. So who does fund Omar Jamal? How about a full-blown investigation of the Somali Justice Advocacy Center!
Rep. Seifert, while you are at it, could you find out how Jamal got out of his conviction for immigration fraud!