More than 100 people gathered in St. Cloud on Wednesday for an event aimed at showing community solidarity, following President Donald Trump’s disparaging remarks about Somalis.

Somali residents and other community members said they felt compelled to speak out against what they call the president’s unfair and divisive rhetoric, in which he called Somalis “garbage” and said they contribute nothing. A sign on the podium read, “An attack on one is an attack on all.”

“We are not here tonight because we are afraid,” said Abdikadir Bashir, executive director of the Center for African Immigrants and Refugees Organization, a St. Cloud nonprofit. “We are here because we refuse to be silent.” • How Minnesota became a hub for Somali immigrants in the U.S. • Ilhan Omar says Trump attacks on Soma

See Full Page