Backlash for Minneapolis Mayor’s Victory Speech
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, recently re-elected as a Democrat, is encountering criticism from conservatives after delivering a victory speech in Somali. In this speech, he emphasized that Minneapolis is a welcoming place for Somalis.
A video from the event shows Frey leading the crowd in a chant, which some people have viewed as excessive pandering. Conservative influencer Paul Cipla remarked, “The pandering here is insane,” expressing disapproval over Frey’s comments about Somalia while suggesting that the city belongs to that community.
In a close race, Frey defeated socialist state Senator Omar Fateh in the second round of nonpartisan ranked-choice voting. Fateh is notable for being the first Somali-American and first Muslim to serve in the Minnesota state senate, with support from groups like the Democratic Socialists of America and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, who represents Minneapolis.
Frey’s campaign received endorsements from notable figures, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Senator Amy Klobuchar, both prominent in the Democratic Party.
During his victory remarks, Frey thanked the Somali community multiple times, stating, “Minneapolis should be a place you are proud to call home,” and listed various regions in Somalia to highlight the city’s diversity. He underscored a message of unity among the Somali community, declaring, “This election is meant to be a moment of unity.”
Some conservative commentators have been sharply critical of Frey’s approach. Jerry Callahan described it as humiliating for an American politician to address a group in a foreign language. Podcaster Matt Walsh echoed this sentiment, suggesting there should be a legal requirement for politicians to communicate in English with the public. Other conservative figures have made remarks about increasing immigration enforcement in response to Frey’s speech.
Frey’s team was contacted for a comment, but there was no immediate response. This incident isn’t his first brush with controversy over speaking in Somali; he faced backlash earlier this year for election advertisements in Somalia.
Frey, who has been in office since 2018, won his third term on Election Day. He is particularly known for his visibility during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, which had a significant impact on Minneapolis, especially following George Floyd’s tragic death.
