Moorhead City Council passes resolution supporting immigrant and refugee communities
The possible passage of the resolution comes on the heels of Mayor Shelly Carlson making a public proclamation in support of the immigrant community.
MOORHEAD, Minn. (KVRR) – Tensions over the mere presence of Somalians in the United States are still elevated following Trump’s lambasting of the group and subsequent measures by ICE to crack down on the population.
A Cinnabon employee in Wisconsin was fired after directing a racist rant at a customer they believed to be Somali, while video from the Twin Cities captured handcuffed individuals boarding a plane at Minneapolis-St. Paul International airport.
But, in Moorhead, following Mayor Shelly Carlson’s public declaration of solidarity with those of Somali descent, the city council is now set to discuss a resolution that would deepen that backing.
Council Member Deb White is the author of the resolution, and she says it’s imperative right now that the immigrant community feels their representatives are looking out for them.
“One of the things that they said was that it was helpful for them to see that show of unity by our leaders and our community,” she said.
Leaders in that community agree, saying that all signifiers of support go a long way during these trying times.
“It will give some of the members of the community the go-ahead to keep working hard, keep sending their kids to school,” said Fowzia Adde.
White says that resolutions of this nature are a part of the very fabric of Moorhead, just like the diversity brought to the area by people of differing backgrounds.
“I was so happy to have my son grow up in a community where he could meet kids and families that came from all over the world,” she said. “It’s really part of what I love about our community.”
After a few local speakers got up to encourage the passage of the resolution at Monday’s meeting, the city council did just that with a unanimous vote.
