Minnesotans Respond to Trump's Immigration Ban

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Hundreds of people reportedly showed up to demonstrate at the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport Sunday following reports that travelers were blocked at airports as a result of President Trump's executive order banning immigrants of seven Muslim nations from coming into the United States. Crowds that gathered at the airport were heard chanting, "Hey Hey, Ho Ho, the Muslim ban has got to go!" and, "Say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here."

Among the demonstrators at the airport was Rep. Keith Ellison, a Democrat and the first Muslim elected to Congress. "This executive order runs contrary to everything we cherish about America," Ellison said on Facebook.

"It will encourage resentment and fear between Americans of different faiths. And it will lead to more hate crimes and attacks on racial and religious minorities," he continued.

About 1,000 people showed up at the airport Sunday to protest, the Star Tribune reported.

In a statement released Saturday, Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar said that while she's "long advocated" for thorough vetting and strong national security measures, she said "it is irresponsible and unconscionable to exclude entire populations from seeking refuge here, simply because of where they come from or what religion they practice."

"The President's executive order is already having devastating consequences, as legal residents with green cards, refugees fleeing violence, and travelers with visas are being denied entry to the United States and some are being detained in airports," Klobuchar continued. "Together, lawmakers and the American people must make it clear to the President that separating families and punishing those who followed the rules is not acceptable."

Klobuchar noted that Minnesota is home to the largest Somali, Liberian and Oromo populations in the U.S., as well as the second largest Hmong population.

In a Facebook post, the Minnesota Chapter on Islamic Relations Muslim warned: "Make no mistake - whatever language is used in President Trump's executive orders on refugees, immigration and visa programs. Muslims are the sole targets of these orders."

State Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Democrat representing a portion of Minneapolis, also condemned the ban, saying that, "Many of the countries that are included in this ban have been going through a civil war, some have successfully been able to crumble a dictatorship—and we have aided them in the guise as trying to further democracy in this world."

"For us to now turn our back on them is a shame"

Omar hosted an event with members of the Somali-American community at the Brian Coyle Community Center. Watch it here:

Image via Steve Fletcher, used with permission