The head of an agency providing federal aid to famine relief efforts in Somalia reassured a crowd in Minneapolis Wednesday that those who work with the U.S. to help the millions of people starving in the Horn of Africa won't be prosecuted for supporting terrorists.
Raj Shah, the administrator of the federal aid arm USAID, was part of a public forum addressing the ongoing famine in Somalia. He made the comments in response to an audience question about the government's anti-terror laws.
"Any partner working with the government, or USAID in particular, will be immune from that type of prosecution," Shah said, reiterating an announcement the Obama administration made in early August.
"We've heard your concerns and tried very hard to be responsive," he said.
The concerns are very real in Minnesota, which has the largest Somali population in the U.S. but has also been the center of an ongoing investigation into the recruiting and travels of more than 20 young men who authorities believe left Minneapolis to fight with al-Shabab in Somalia. A total of 20 people have been charged in Minnesota in connection with the travelers and terror financing - including two women who claim they were raising money to charity.
About 350 people attended Wednesday's forum about the famine, including many in the local Somali community. The forum was moderated by U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison, and participants included House minority leader Nancy Pelosi and U.S. Rep. Tim Walz.
Source: The Associated Press
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