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The hidden story that binds African and Mexican Americans in a shared history few knew about until now! - GLOBAL AFRICAN DIASPORA

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IN MINNESOTA

CHINA DEEP

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The underworld in the most populace nation on Earth has gained an iron grip on America's illegal cannabis market. How did this incredible scenario unfold?

City of Plymouth seeks entries for Primavera juried art show

PLYMOUTH—The City of Plymouth and Plymouth Arts Council are seeking art entries for the 2024 Primavera juried show in April. Applications are due Friday, March 8.

Primavera is a free annual spring art exhibition in Plymouth, which provides an opportunity for the public to view and celebrate fine art. The event is set for April 25-28 at the Plymouth Community Center, 14800 34th Ave. N.

Artists may enter up to two pieces of original art for the Primavera juried show. Winning artists will receive monetary awards in the following categories:

Best of Show, $250
Primavera Award, $100
Myrna Kaner Student Award, $100
Award of Excellence, adult, $100
Award of Excellence, student, $50

Adult art will remain on display at the Plymouth Community Center Art Gallery through June 7.

Submissions are only accepted for artists entering work in the adult category (18 years and older). Students interested in submitting artwork must coordinate with their school’s art teacher. Artists are asked to submit photographs of artwork marked with the artist’s name, media and framed dimension with the completed application. Submissions will not be returned.

Cost to enter the first piece is $30, and $10 for the second piece. The entry fee is non-refundable and payable to the Plymouth Arts Council.

Applicants will be notified of the jury’s decision by Friday, March 15. To submit an application or for more information, visit plymouthmn.gov/primavera.

HEAVY SNOWFALL

Snowplow activity throughout Minnesota is on again, as heavy snow falls in late March 2024.

Minnesota gets relief from record high temps in waning days of March

BROOKLYN PARK, MN (MNS)—All but 20 counties in Minnesota are under a winter storm warning for the powerful system that will dump heavy snow on parts of the state over the next 48 hours.

"The main storm system will arrive on later today as a heavy band of snow develops across Iowa and lifts northward across the region. Snowfall rates of 1 inch per hour are likely, with 2 inches per hour possible, especially along and east of I-35," according to the National Weather Service.

"Winds will be out of the east at 25 to 35 mph, which will lead to very low visibility. Snow will become more widespread this afternoon and evening."

The National Weather Service mentions in its Sunday morning forecast discussion that it will be snowing so hard—especially east of Interstate 35—that rates of two inches per hour "could lead to power outages as trees become weighed down by the wet and heavy snow."

How much snow? In the Twin Cities, the NWS is calling for 6-9 inches, which is down from the earlier forecast that suggested 7-12 inches was possible. Over a foot of snow could fall in places further west and north.

The NWS notes that the snow is going to be wet, meaning it will compact and won't look like a foot even if a foot of snow falls. Add in the rain Monday and the appearance on the ground in places where a foot of snow falls might look more like six inches.

Snow is expected to change over to rain Sunday night in southern Minnesota, with the snow/rain line shifting further north throughout the day on Monday. Where that rain/snow line sets up will be critical in determining how much snow specific locations get, and the Twin Cities could be right on that line.

"On Monday night and Tuesday, colder air will move in causing a change-over back to snow across much of the region," the National Weather Service explained. "A couple more inches of accumu- lation is possible, but the main concern is for strong northwest winds of 30 to 40 mph to cause blowing snow across western Minnesota.

"There is also a small chance that some ice could mix in at times Monday night as temperatures drop below freezing,"

The NWS warns, "Prepare for boom or bust in the Twin Cities if snow changes to rain sooner than expected, but the bottom line is that this is a very powerful storm system and it's going to dump very heavy, wet snow all over the state."

AMBUSH

KILLING

TAKES

THREE

From left, Burnsville Police Officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge and Firefighter/Paramedic Adam Finseth. (Courtesy of the City of Burnsville)

2 police officers, 1 fireman were responding to a domestic call

BURNSVILLE, MN (MNS)—Two police officers and one firefighter were shot and killed in Burnsville, Minnesota, on Sunday after responding to a "call of a family in danger," according to the Burnsville Police Department.

Burnsville police officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge along with firefighter Adam Finseth died Sunday, according to a press release from Burnsville PD.

"Horrific news from Burnsville," Gov. Tim Walz weighed in, issuing a text on X. "While responding to a call of a family in danger, two police officers and one firefighter lost their lives, and other officers were injured."

"We must never take for granted the bravery and sacrifices our police officers and first responders make every day," Walz continued. "My heart is with their families today and the entire State of Minnesota stands with Burnsville."

The officers and Finseth, who was working as an EMT, responded to the 12600 block of 33rd Avenue South on Sunday around 1:50 a.m., local time, for a call of a domestic situation where a man reported to be armed was barricaded with family members, according to the release.

After arriving, the situation escalated into gunfire with responders and Elmstrand, Ruge and Finseth were killed by the gunman, according to the news release.

The man who shot and killed the responding officers and EMT was reported dead at approximately 8 a.m., local time, and the other family members left the home and are safe, according to the release.

There were seven children, whose ages range from 2 to 15 years old, in the residence at the time of the shooting, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans said in a press briefing Sunday.

"Today three members of our team made the ultimate sacrifice," Burnsville Police Chief Tanya Schwartz said through tears during the press briefing. "They are heroes," Schwartz said.

The Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association confirmed that a shooting took place Sunday morning after officers responded to a domestic abuse call, according to a statement posted to Facebook.

"We are heartbroken. Our law enforcement community is heartbroken. We're just devastated at the horrific loss," the statement said.

Burnsville is a Minnesota suburb located about 15 miles south of Minneapolis.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said in a post on X that agents had responded to the scene.

Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar shared a statement on X Sunday morning after being alerted to the fatal shooting by police.

"They were doing their jobs. They were protecting our community," Klobuchar said, noting that she and her husband, John, are "praying for them and their families and the Burnsville P.D. this morning."

Minnesota Rep. Angie Craig, who represents Burnsville, released a statement Sunday, saying, "My heart is broken for the brave officers and first responder lost in the line of duty. Craig noted she's been in contact with the White House to "marshal any additional federal resources that may be available."

"I'm horrified to see this kind of violence in our community," Craig continued. "Today serves as another solemn reminder that those who protect our communities do so at great personal risk. We must do everything in our power to prevent tragedies like these before they happen and hold violent criminals accountable to the fullest extent of the law."

jeffersonlines.com

US ARMY RESERVE SOLDIERS killed in the early morning drone attack included (left to right) Army Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, 46, of Carrollton, Ga.; Army Sgt. Kennedy Ladon Sanders, 24, of Waycross, Ga.; and Army Sgt. Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, 23, of Savannah, Ga. Courtesy US Army

Biden orders retaliation in Iraq and Syria

By NOLAN STOUT, Contributing Writer

WASHINGTON (CN)—President Joe Biden on Friday ordered retaliatory strikes on Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria, a potential escalation of tensions in the Middle East.

The strikes were announced after President Joe Biden attended the transfer of the bodies of three Georgia-based Army Reserve soldiers who were killed in a strike on a U.S. military facility in Jordan on Sunday.

“Our response began today,” Biden said in a statement. It will continue at times and places of our choosing.”

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the strikes hit seven facilities and 85 targets and “is the start of our response” as Biden has ordered “additional actions.”

“These will unfold at times and places of our choosing,” Austin said in a statement. “We do not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else, but the president and I will not tolerate attacks on American forces.”

Biden has said he is not seeking to escalate tensions in the region but would respond to the attack.

“The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world,” Biden said. “But let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond.”

More than 40 personnel were also injured in the attack over last weekend. Media outlets have reported that a drone approached the military outpost around the same time an American drone was returning to the base, causing uncertainty over whether it was hostile and delaying a response.

The White House and Pentagon have declined to provide more information about how the attack was successful. Biden said an Iran-backed militia group is behind the attack on the facility, which supports U.S. efforts to combat the Islamic State in the region.

It was the latest of multiple spillovers Washington is juggling from Israel’s invasion of the Gaza Strip, including attacks on shipping in the Red Sea by the Houthis, rocket attacks on US and allied facilities in Iraq and Syria and blows between Israel and Lebanon.

The US has meanwhile carried out attacks on militant groups in Yemen and Iraq, but Washington has sought to separate those efforts from its full-throated support of Israel. The Biden administration has sought to characterize its military actions since the Hamas attack as self-defense, with US and coalition forces coming under attack roughly 165 times since Oct. 17.

Biden, who in 2020 wrote online that “a president should never take this country into war” without congressional approval, has routinely ordered airstrikes in the Middle East without seeking legisla- tive authorization. The White House, like the Bush, Obama and Trump administrations, typically justifies the actions through the post-9/11 Authorization of Use of Military Force.

Republicans called for a response directly in Iran.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, said Biden should target Iranian oil and military infrastructure and “anything less will be seen as weakness" and put Americans at risk.

“It is long past time for this regime to pay a heavy price. All the attacks against American forces in the region are by Iranian-backed proxies,” Graham wrote online. “It is clear the Iranian regime wants to drive us out of the Middle East so they can implement their twisted desire to dominate Islam.”

Nadia Mohamed exults at the news she outpolled Dale A. Anderson to succeed Jake Spano. Screenshot

St. Louis Park's Nadia Mohamed first Somali Minnesotan mayor

Metropolis News Service

ST. LOUIS PARK, MN—The Minneapolis suburb of St. Louis Park has elected Minnesota's first Somali American mayor.

St. Louis Park Councilmember Nadia Mohamed defeated retired banker Dale A. Anderson in the Tuesday, Nov. 6 municipal election to succeed outgoing Mayor Jake Spano. Preliminary election results showed Mohamed leading 58 percent to 41 percent.

Mohamed is believed to be the first Somali American elected as mayor of a US city, bearing a notable first: She'll also be the first Black woman to lead the city of 49,000. Minnesota is home to the largest Somali American population in the nation. Members of the community have made significant gains in political representation in recent years.

US Rep. Ilhan Omar, who made history with her 2018 election to Congress, became the state's first Somali legislator in 2016. Today, there are five.

Mohamed shared a special moment with her mother as she thanked her for immigrating the family from Somalia.

“Now she stands here in the room with you all, celebrating her daugh- ter become the first Black mayor, the first Somali mayor.

"This is a milestone. This is not the destination," Mohamed, who came to St. Louis Park as a 10- year-old refugee, told supporters. "I want to ensure [that] people see themselves reflected in our policies."

Mayor-elect Nadia Mohamed

Unarmed de-escalation teams prepared for civil mayhem in US

Fifteen unarmed civilian protection teams

exist in the US and five more internationally

ST. LOUIS (PNS)—When Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., needed assistance after threats during her 2020 election campaign, she turned to unarmed civilian protection in St. Louis.

Unarmed civilian protection members are specially trained to de-escalate even the worst scenarios.

Eli McCarthy, director of programs for the group D.C. Peace Team, said a highly skilled unarmed civilian protection unit uses many nonviolent resources such as centering and different forms of dialogue, listening and acknowledging feelings and needs.

"Things like distraction and delegation, dignity phrases, interconnectedness phrases," McCarthy outlined. "For example, like, 'We are in this together, let's find a way through this.' And then other tactics like interposition so different ways, they can use their bodies to get in between to block."

McCarthy said unarmed civilian protection is practiced in war zones such as South Sudan, Colombia, Iraq and the Philippines.

As we gear up for the next election in November 2024, some national organizations are already planning for and asking for de-escalation training from the D.C Peace Team.

McCarthy said training and deployment of an unarmed civilian protection unit for election polling places, faith-based groups and those involved in the election process who are feeling directly threatened or at risk can be beneficial.

"One option is to hire an unarmed civilian protection team or unit to provide regular accompaniment and really try to put that person more at ease so they can focus on the work. You know, Cori said, 'I don't have to look over my shoulder and be on constant alert.'"

Misconstrued remarks by Rep. Ilhan Omar incites criticisms

Rep. Ilhan Omar

A virtual lightning rod to MAGA Republicans

Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota has faced criticism for her remarks in a Jan. 27 speech at a Minneapolis event marking recent elections in her home country of Somalia.

Rhoda J. Elmi, the deputy minister of foreign affairs for the Republic of Somaliland—a small breakaway state on the horn of Africa that is not recognized by any foreign nation—tweeted a video of the speech with English subtitles that landed Omar, who had addressed the largely Somali American crowd in her native language, in hot water with critics.

Those critics have homed in on two specific statements: 1) “we are an organized society, brothers and sisters, people of the same blood, people who know they are Somalians first, Muslims second,” and 2) “the U.S. government will only do what Somalians in the US tell them to do. They will do what we want and nothing else. They must follow our orders and that is how we will safeguard the interest of Somalia.”

Minnesota Rep. Tom Emmer, the Republican majority whip, demanded that Omar resign from office.

"No sitting member of Congress should be able to blatantly spew anti-American rhetoric and get away with it. I am demanding an ethics investigation into Ilhan Omar's appalling, Somalia-first comments," Emmer said.

However, according to the Minnesota Reformer—a St. Paul-based nonprofit news outlet that covers Minnesota politics and policy issues—two independent translations that conflicted with the subtitles referenced by Elmi and Emmer.

Reformer journalists said they noticed that seemingly nobody confirmed that the subtitles reflected an accurate translation of Omar’s remarks.

“If you look in the story that [Emmer] shared, it says they could not independently confirm the authenticity of the translation, which I found to be a little shocking,” noted J. Patrick Coolican, Reformer editor in chief.

Coolican spoke to a Somali-American source with language certifications who provided the Reformer with an initial translation. When that translation differed from that of the video, deputy editor Max Nesterak worked with a court interpreter to have a second translation provided.

The two independent translations were almost identical, and both differed in important ways from the subtitles provided in the original video of Omar. Significantly, both of Omar’s most controversial quotes in the video were mistranslated.

“If you look at the transcription, that’s not really when she said at all,” Coolican explained, adding Rep. Omar actually said, “We are people who know that they are Somali and Muslim,” and, “My answer was that the US. government will do what we tell the US government to do. That is the confidence we need to have as Somalis.

"We live in this country. This is the country where we pay taxes. This is the country that has elected a woman from your community. For as long as I am in Congress, no one will take over the seas belonging to the nation of Somalia and the United States will not support others who seek to steal from us.

"So, feel comfortable Somali Minnesotans that the woman you sent to Congress is aware of this issue and feels the same way you do,” Omar said, defending her statements in a January 28 tweet, that interpretations of her remarks were “slanted” and “completely off.”

Over $5 million focuses on opioid addiction

in disproportionately impacted communities

ST. PAUL—As opioids continue to devastate people and families across Minnesota, a new set of state grants focuses on the communities bearing the greatest burdens of the crisis.

The Minnesota Department of Human Services is awarding $5.7 million to 12 grantees to expand the services available to support people suffering from opioid use disorder and make it easier to get help. Almost all the funding is going to organizations primarily serving Native communities, Black commu- nities and communities of color disproportionately impacted by the opioid epidemic.

The new investments will address gaps in Minnesota’s continuum of care for Native people and people of color with opioid use disorder, and help inform future changes to better serve all Minnesotans. Organizations receiving grants serve the Twin Cities metropolitan area, greater Minnesota and Tribal Nations, while others provide services statewide.

More and more Minnesotans are losing their lives to opioid use disorder. The number of opioid-involved deaths in Minnesota reached 924 in 2021, up from 343 in 2018. American Indians and Black Minnesotans are experiencing the opioid epidemic more severely. American Indians are seven times more likely to die from a drug overdose than White Minnesotans, while Black Minnesotans are twice

as likely to die from a drug overdose.

“Minnesota cannot and will not accept this continued pain and heartbreak for families and communi- ties,” said Human Services Commissioner Jodi Harpstead. “With this funding, our partners can save lives now and in the years to come through a range of programs that are person-centered, trauma-informed and culturally responsive.”

The new grants will support culturally specific practices, including primary prevention and overdose prevention, workforce development and training, and expansion and enhancement of the continuum of care. The funding includes $1 million for services focused on the East African population.

Gov. Tim Walz’s budget proposal to the 2023 Legislature includes a package of measures addressing the opioid epidemic. His recommendations, totaling $21.5 million over four years, include stronger representation of disproportionately impacted communities on the state Opioid Epidemic Response Advisory Council, ongoing funding for traditional healing and overdose prevention grants, and more education for opioid treatment professionals.

The current awards are the second set of grants recommended by the Opioid Epidemic Response Advisory Council, after an earlier round totaling approximately $5 million in 2022.

“I’m proud of the work we have been focused on over the past three years. Providing over $10 million to tackle many different objectives across the state is what we have worked for,” said Rep. Dave Baker, R-Willmar, the council’s chair. “Our needs are endless, but we must deploy resources and help support families facing this deadly crisis.”

The council selected the current grantees after extensive review, with a focus on increasing access to treatment, reducing opioid overdose-related deaths, and addressing unmet needs for prevention, treat- ment and recovery services. The Department of Human Services and the council requested proposals in April 2022.

“Hardly a day goes by that we don’t hear of [an] verdose attributed to this heartbreaking horror,” said Sen. Mary Kunesh, DFL-New Brighton, who serves on the council. “Minnesota must dedicate every resource available to deal with this opioid epidemic and look at addiction more broadly. How would we not just stop the current epidemic, but prevent the next crisis? This is our mission.”

In the coming months, the Opioid Epidemic Response Advisory Council will announce additional funding recommendations and begin soliciting proposals for new funding.