Confrontation at Somali-run Daycare
Nick Shirley, a YouTuber known for his investigation into misconduct at a daycare in Minnesota run by Somalis, shared a new video on Wednesday. This footage features a security guard intervening between Shirley and an irate Somali man who repeatedly punched him during their altercation.
Back in December, Shirley released a video showcasing several childcare centers in Minnesota that he identified as Somali-run. One of these centers reportedly received $4 million in public funding but seemed to have no children present. In his latest video, when he uploaded the content, his security team moved quickly to protect him during the confrontation.
The video captures a visibly angry Somali man accusing Shirley of spreading “inflammatory propaganda,” claiming he’s profiting from criticism of Somali and Muslim communities. Shirley firmly denied these accusations, emphasizing that his investigation focuses on fraud, not on race, religion, or ethnicity.
“I’m not attacking you guys. Let me explain. Fraud is fraud. This isn’t about race. It’s about fraud,” he insisted.
As tensions mounted, the man accused Shirley of inciting anti-Muslim feelings, suggesting that people were using Shirley’s reports to demand the expulsion of Muslims from Minnesota.
“When I hear your comments, I see people saying, ‘We don’t want Muslims here. Get rid of all the Muslims in Minnesota,'” the man asserted. “You’re setting the stage for the Somali community to be rounded up, similar to what happened with the Japanese community.”
In response, Shirley’s security team stood between them as the man approached. Although he claimed to have not touched anyone, Shirley argued that the man was diverting attention from the real issue.
“Islamophobes will leverage your content. People who harbor hatred for Islam will use your words to argue, ‘We don’t want you here. Change the constitution,'” exclaimed the agitated Somali man.
Shirley reiterated, “I’m not saying I dislike Muslims. The discussion is about fraud. We’re discussing fraud.”
The man countered that special treatment was only afforded to Somalis.
“Are we the only group committing fraud? Is it just us?” he questioned.
“This isn’t about race. Listen, this is about fraud,” Shirley replied.
Earlier in a video from December 26, Shirley mentioned that his investigations led him to at least ten Somali-run childcare centers in Minnesota that received public funds but seemed inactive. Visits to these locations revealed some were closed or empty. Meanwhile, federal prosecutors have indicted over 90 individuals, many connected to Minnesota’s Somali community, for allegedly misappropriating more than $9 billion from taxpayer-funded social welfare programs.
According to records cited in a Minnesota Star Tribune report, five of these providers received nearly $5 million from the program from 2018 to 2021. One provider in Minneapolis, Sweet Angel Child Care, allegedly listed a contact number linked to the office of Democratic Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
State officials indicated in November that the failures allowing this program to persist were directly linked to Walz’s administration, citing ignored internal warnings and whistleblower reports. In the face of rising scrutiny, Democratic leaders and state officials expressed support for Somali residents, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who emphasized the importance of the Somali community to the city, and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, who addressed the issue during an appearance on Somali-language television.
