Somali Organization Urges Caution Ahead Of Nationwide Anti-Muslim Rallies
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Muslim Minnesotans are on edge ahead of planned rallies with armed protesters across the country this weekend.
A spokesman for the Council for American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's leading Muslim civil rights group, told CBS News a Facebook page titled "Global Rally for Humanity" is a focal point for planning an estimated 20 separate protests across the country on Oct. 10. The page uses the slogan, "The World is Saying No To Islam," in conjunction with the rallies, and calls for protesters to be armed where permitted.
The Somali Human Rights Commission hopes local Muslims and law enforcement can take extra safety measures in response to upcoming anti-Muslim rallies planned across the country Saturday.
Omar Jamal, Executive Director of the SHRC in Minnesota, told WCCO he's not sure where any protests might happen Saturday (if they happen at all), but that Muslim communities in Minneapolis, St. Cloud and Rochester should stay aware and exercise caution.