Protest demands justice for 3 Somali youth entrapped by FBI
Minneapolis, MN – About 100 people gathered in front of the Minneapolis Federal Building, May 19, to stand in solidarity with the three Somali youth who were entrapped by the FBI. They are facing up to life in prison. The crowd was made up of family and friends of the defendants, civil liberties and anti-war activists.
According to statement from protest organizers, “This case is part of an ongoing organized attack against the East African community, which is facing rising levels of Islamophobia, xenophobia, racism and government repression.”
Speaking to the crowd, the mothers of the three defendants demanded freedom for their sons and thanked people for packing the courtroom during the course of the trial.
Sarah Martin, of the Coalition to Defend the Muslim Community, stated, “It is the important the public understands that these Somali youth were entrapped by the FBI, in an effort to justify to us that they are ‘making us safer.’” Meredith Aby-Keirstead of the Anti-War Committee urged rally participants to continue to pack the courtroom in coming weeks.
Earlier today in court, the well-paid and self-admitted liar, Abdirahman Bashir, began his testimony for the prosecution.