Homeland Security Secretary visits Minn. Somali leaders

Homeland Security Secretary visits Minn. Somali leaders

A rare visit by a U.S. Cabinet official to the Twin Cities buoyed the hopes of the local Somali community. Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson is on a cross country tour in "listening mode."
Johnson said, at a meeting earlier Friday at the Brian Coyle Center, he got an earful from Somali leaders about the treatment of local Somalis at the Minneapolis/Saint Paul International Airport. The TSA is under the control of Johnson's Department and he promised to look into the issue.
"People who live here would rather go to the airport, fly out of the airport in Chicago because of issues they have with airport security here," said Johnson. "My response was 'I am going to work on this issue'."
He urged local Somalis to tell law enforcement when they know of or hear of someone trying to recruit young Muslims to fight overseas with terrorists.
"Help us to help you in the community," Johnson said. "I do not consider that snitching. I do not consider that being an informant. I consider that being a participant in our society, a participant in public safety. "
U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar attended the meetings, along with U.S. Attorney for Minnesota, Andrew Luger. Luger said the meeting was aimed at solutions, not just the problems.
"We are investigating a small number of people engaging in criminal activity," said Luger. "We are not investigating a community. We are not investigating religious activity."
Somali leaders seemed pleased with the meetings.
"We are very happy that we are getting the right attention," said Abdirizak Bihi, Director of the Somali Education Center, "that we are being engaged locally and federally. We talked about what I think are the most important things that are compelling our young people to become vulnerable to radicalization, brain-washing and victimization."
"The main reason, or root cause, of those things are the problems, day-to-day problems, that families and kids deal with," said Amano Dube, Director of Pillsbury United Communities, "Lack of opportunities for youth, for example. There are no appropriate programs that can help them become a better citizen tomorrow."
Bihi added, "We did our best at a community level. So, it is about time that the Federal Government and other agencies and institutions should step in and join hands to help engage the community."