Fargo Human Rights Commission Holds Press Conference to Back Somali Residents, Calls on City Leaders to Speak Out

Fargo — The Fargo Human Rights Commission on Monday convened a joint press conference with regional partners to express solidarity with Somali residents and to condemn recent dehumanizing rhetoric at the national level.

"We are here today to ... support our Somali community," said Sekou Surleaf, who opened the event and identified himself as chair. Surleaf called for investigations of any alleged fraud by individuals in Minnesota while stressing that "we cannot use the bad deeds or bad behavior of a few to smear an entire community." He later criticized Fargo city leadership for declining to issue a public statement and said, "Fargo needs leadership, not cowards."

A commission member read a prepared statement "on behalf of the Fargo Human Rights Commission," saying the commission "unequivocally condemns rhetoric" that demonizes groups and "criminalizes entire ethnic groups" or encourages hostility…