Open letter welcomes Warsame to rights, equity legacy

To Council Member-elect Abdi Warsame:

We speak from among members of the African American community to heartily hail and salute your successful election to the City Council of Minneapolis.

You are not only the first continental African to win a seat on the Council, you are the first Somali. Only one other Somali has won a city council seat across the United States –Ahmed Hassan, of Clarkston, GA.

We welcome you to this long persistent journey in the struggle to make democracy more inclusive and real for persons of color. Your achievement reminds us that democracy is a process, and not a static condition. We wish you well.

Hip Hip Hurrah!

Signed,
Al McFarlane, Verlena Matey-Keke, Mahmoud El-Kati, and African American community members.

African American community members are sending an open letter of congratulations to Minneapolis 6th Ward City Council Member-elect Abdi Warsame.

Warsame is one of two Somalis elected to city council offices in the United States. He is the first continental African elected to a city council in Minnesota.

Organized by Verlena Matey-Keke, Professor Mahmoud El-Kati, and Insight News Editor Al McFarlane, the open letter will invite and gather signatures of community, civic, social, business and church leaders in Twin Cities African American communities in tribute to Warsame’s stunning victory in the 6th Ward. It welcomes Warsame to the ongoing fight for justice, equality and inclusion that has been centered in the Black community and culture, McFarlane said.

Persons interested in adding their name to the congratulatory open letter to Abdi Warsame are invited to do so online at www.insightnews.com or by sending an email to al@insightnews.com confirming their agreement with the open letter.

For further information call Insight News 612-588-1313.