As Jordan Kushner stated in his view of the VV meeting and my involvement:
"The previous poster mischaraterized the PPL efforts as some sort of
attempted coup by developer Basim Sabri. This is a specious attempt to
distort the real unsavory agendas at play. Sabri had no apparent financial
interest in this project. I believe that his active participation was
prompted by other CNIA community activists who are active involved with the
PPL project. Ultimately, his personal motives are an unimportant side issue
and diversion."
I want to reitterate that I am not a partner, nor a developer, nor do I have
any financial interest in this project. Mr. Graham stated that the Ventura
Village is membership is made of "Native Americans, African Americans, and
European Americans and yes, even Arab Americans". Isn't it ironic that
ninety some percent of those who voted in opposition of the affordable
housing proposal were caucasian? And it was those people who made up the
majority of those allowed to vote at the meeting. If I recall properly,
there was only one African-american, one Hispanic-american and one
Arab-american who voted in opposition to the proposal. I don't believe I saw
any Native Americans present at the meeting. Those who voted for the
proposal were minorities. The process seemed quite contradictory since VV
consists of a majority of minorities.
The part of this meeting that interested me was the voting selection led by
Mr. and Mrs. Graham. The couple proceeded in handing out flags to those who
could vote. Tables were placed to separate the voters from the non-voters
and they would not allow anyone who was a non-voter to cross to the side of
the voters. Personally, I previously had never attended a VV meeting, so
when I arrived and not aware of the "process", I tried to go to speak to my
brothers (who were on the voting side). Mr. Graham physically shoved me back
(apparently trying to create some commotion) telling me in a number of words
that I should go back to my neighborhood. This is the kind of welcome I
received from Mr. and Mrs. Graham who were conducting a so-called open
meeting.
After my first post in response to Mr. Graham, I received several
emails/phone calls from those who live in VV apologizing for Mr. and Mrs.
Graham's behavior. The people who contacted me also expressed their concern
about the conduct of the current leadership of VV organization and strongly
believe that there should be reform. My concern is that VV bylaws are being
violated and that clearly the MN statute 405 (which just passed the Senate
and the House) is being violated. Don't get me wrong, I do believe there are
a good number of people on the VV board who are honest, open-minded and
hardworking. I simply believe that Mr. and Mrs. Graham did not act or
conduct the voting process properly, nor were they welcoming to the rest of
the community, especially the minorities and immigrants.
I will personally continue my efforts to stop the discrimination and
violation of open meeting laws in any neighborhood in the city. I believe
there are exclusions of certain members within different neighborhoods in the
city without cause and that this type of action needs to change.
Coincidentally, it reminds me of Central Neighborhood one year ago.
I am a Palestinian who is unable to vote or live in his own country. And
let's not forget that not too long ago African-americans were not allowed to
vote in this country. This is the reason that I went in front of the House
to testify for bill 405 and why I intervened in Central Neighborhood and why
I will continue to be an advocate for those whose voting rights are being
violated.
If there is something so wrong about this thought process, please let me know.
Sincerely,
Basim Sabri
Central/Whittier/Lowry Hill East
