Minneapolis, MN – Three Somali American youth, Guled Omar, Abdirahman Daud and Mohamed Farah were convicted today, June 3, as the all-white jury came back with guilty verdicts. The sobbing of family members was audible in courtroom, during the 20 minute period where the guilty verdicts were read, and then confirmed by the jury. The convictions were for conspiracy to commit murder in a foreign country, material support for terrorism and other charges, which could bring life in prison.
Minneapolis, MN – Anger at the police killing of Jamar Clark will fuel more protests, as demands for justice are renewed by the June 2 announcement that there will be no federal charges against the police who killed him last November. U.S. Attorney Andy Luger announced the results of a federal investigation in this case, speaking for 20 minutes at a closed-door press conference at the FBI headquarters in Brooklyn Park, a suburb of Minneapolis.
Minneapolis, MN – The case of the three Somali American young men, Guled Omar, Abdirahman Daud and Mohamad Farah, went to the all-white jury June 1, after final arguments and reading of jury instructions. The youth are facing charges of conspiracy to commit murder in a foreign country, material support for terrorism and other charges, which could bring life in prison.
Minneapolis, MN – About 40 people rallied in front of the Federal Courthouse, May 26, to demand justice for the three Somali youth who are facing life in prison, having been entrapped by the FBI. Family, other members of the Somali community and anti-war activists called for the release of Guled Omar, Abdirahman Daud and Mohamad Farah.
Minneapolis, MN – The prosecution in the case of the three Somali youth entrapped by the FBI was handed another setback, May 25, by one of the government’s own witnesses, Abdirizak Warsame. The young Somali-American men on trial, Guled Omar, Abdirahman Daud and Mohamad Farah, are facing life in prison on the charges of conspiracy to commit murder abroad and material support of terrorism.
Minneapolis, MN – Paid informant Abdirahman Bashir continued his testimony, May 20, in packed courtroom at the Minneapolis Federal Courthouse, as the trial of three Somali youth who were entrapped by the FBI entered its ninth day. The cross examination of Bashir is expected to begin on Monday.
Minneapolis, MN – Over 500 registered nurses from Allina Hospitals across Minnesota joined together and picketed outside of Allina Corporate Headquarters on Chicago Avenue and Lake Street in Minneapolis, May 19. The nurses have been in a fight with Allina Health, with whom they are bargaining for a new contract.
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.
Minneapolis, MN – On the 13th floor of the Minneapolis Federal Courthouse, the prosecutors of the three Somali youth entrapped by the FBI paraded a host of FBI and Joint Terrorism Task Force agents before jury, Tuesday, May 17, as they attempted to recover from the setbacks that attorneys for Guled Omar, Abdirahman Daud and Mohamad Farah, dealt them yesterday.
Minneapolis, MN – About 40 people joined the Twin Cities based Anti-War Committee, May 15, for its annual remembrance of Al-Nakba, or “the catastrophe” that occurred in 1948 when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were forced from their homes.
Minneapolis, MN – Week two of the trial of three Somali youth will open May 16, with the continued testimony of Abdullahi Mohamud Yusuf. Yusuf was the first star witness for prosecutors aiming to convict three of his former friends of terrorism conspiracy charges. According to Yusuf, he planned to travel to Syria and join ISIL in 2014, but was stopped at the airport by FBI Special Agent John Thomas. Yusuf plead guilty in the case, hoping to receive a lighter sentence in exchange for his testimony against Guled Omar, Abdirahman Daud and Mohamad Farah. Yusuf testified to several meetings with the three, though none of them were with him the day he set out for Syria.
Minneapolis, MN – The Anti-War Committee is holding its annual remembrance of Al-Nakba, or “the catastrophe” that occurred in 1948 when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were forced from their homes. The Nakba continues today as Palestinian homes continue to be destroyed. A rally is planned at Loring Park, on Sunday, May 15, 1 p.m., followed by a march through the surrounding neighborhood.
Minneapolis, MN – After a few days of preliminary motions and jury selection, opening arguments were presented on May 11 at the trial of three young local Somali men. Many members of the Somali community and the local peace movement are attending the trial. The Minnesota Coalition to Defend the Muslim Community, which includes the Anti-War Committee, is planning to organize rallies every Thursday of the trial to support with the families of the accused and to speak out against government abuses in this case.
Minneapolis, MN – The Coalition to Stop Trump and March on the RNC applied for permits from the City of Cleveland May 10, for a major protest July 18, the first day of the Republican National Convention (RNC). The protest will put forward the slogans, “Dump Trump, Say No to the Republican Agenda,” and “We Demand Peace, Justice and Equality.”
Minneapolis, MN – More than 100 people came to the Minneapolis Federal Courts Building to support three Muslim youth from the Somali community charged with conspiring to provide material support to ISIL and to commit murder abroad. The trial began May 9, for Guled Ali Omar, 21; Abdurahman Yasin Daud, 22; and Mohamed Abdihamid Farah, 22, who were entrapped by the FBI and now face possible life sentences.
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the Twin Cites based Anti-War Committee.Statement on FBI Entrapment of Muslim Youth, State Repression against the Somali Community, and the Countering Violent Extremism Program
Minneapolis, MN – Hundreds of people marched April 29 in Minneapolis to commemorate International Workers Day and continue the struggle for immigrant and workers’ rights. The annual march started at Lake Street and Nicollet Avenue and marched two miles to Hennepin County Government Plaza in downtown Minneapolis. The march was initiated by the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) and was endorsed by more than 40 unions, immigrant rights and social justice organizations, including both the Minneapolis and Saint Paul Regional Labor Federations.
Minneapolis, MN – The Coalition to Stop Trump and March on the RNC announced today, May 1, plans for a major protest In Cleveland, Ohio, on July 18, the first day of the Republican National Convention (RNC).
March will oppose Trump's agenda; put forward working people’s agenda
Minneapolis, MN – On Friday April 29, at 4:30 p.m., immigrant rights activists, union members, students and others will gather at the intersection of Lake Street and Nicollet Avenue in South Minneapolis to march downtown for immigrant and workers’ rights. They will unite to denounce the racism, xenophobia, immigrant bashing and attacks on worker’s rights that are typified by Donald Trump and other politicians who share his views. In contrast, they will march for a working people’s agenda that unites workers of all races, nationalities, genders and backgrounds to fight for economic and social justice.
