The Briefing Room

General Category => Immigration/Border => Topic started by: rangerrebew on November 08, 2019, 04:08:24 pm

Title: Somali who was target of threats wins US municipal election
Post by: rangerrebew on November 08, 2019, 04:08:24 pm

Somali who was target of threats wins US municipal election

David Sharp, Associated Press Updated 8:59 am CST, Thursday, November 7, 2019


PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The second-largest city in Maine, home to thousands of African newcomers, has elected a Somali American to its city council following a campaign that was marred by racist attacks and threats fueled by social media.

Safiya Khalid, 23, soundly defeated a fellow Democrat on Tuesday for a seat on the Lewiston City Council.

Shrugging off attacks on her skin color and faith, Khalid declared that "community organizers beat internet trolls."

The attacks didn't seem to faze voters. Khalid won with nearly 70% of the vote to make history in the former mill city.

https://www.lmtonline.com/news/us/article/Somali-who-was-target-of-threats-wins-US-14813679.php (https://www.lmtonline.com/news/us/article/Somali-who-was-target-of-threats-wins-US-14813679.php)