I received an e-mail note today informing me that Ali Ali, a 65-year-old Somali man who was recently assaulted by two white individuals at a bus stop near 17th and Chicago, passed away last night, reportedly as a result of his injuries from the assault. The assault came on the same day as a Star Tribune article reporting that Somalis in Minnesota were unwittingly contributing to a Bin-Laden linked terrorist group.
Many Somalis and non-Somalis have rightfully protested the use of a prominent A1 above-the-fold headline for the Sunday story (which was duly picked up by radio and TV), as well as the rather vague information about Somalis' charitable contributions to Al-Itahaad, the alleged terrorist supporting group. Minneapolis police so far have not treated the assault as a hate crime, and I know nothing further about that decision or determination. Ironically, the Star Tribune's editorial for today(October 25) speaks to the hatred of Americans by those overseas, and ends with these words: "How does it feel to be hated? Terrible, and it's tempting to hate in return. But we must not. Even as bombs fall on Afghanistan and troops move in, our hearts should be filled not with revenge but with profound sadness. Similarly, our minds should be focused not by hatred, but by justice and resolve." Let's hope Mr. Ali and his family receive the benefit of that same resolve and justice. Gregory Luce N.Phillips North Phillips Press is a publication of Project 504, a housing related neighborhood organization based in the Phillips neighborhood. _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
