Maine:Fewer Somalis migrate to Lewiston in letter's aftermath

Boston Harold.com ^ | 2 February 2003 | Kevin Wack

[SheLion]

LEWISTON, Maine (AP) Since last fall, when Mayor Larry Raymond made waves by discouraging further Somali migration to the city, a key development has been obscured in the ensuing racially charged maelstrom of protest, counter-protest and international attention.

The mayor got his wish: large numbers of Somalis have stopped coming to Lewiston.

[SheLion]

Some Somalis have even moved out of Lewiston in the last few months, according to community leaders in St. Paul and Atlanta.

Does this mean there won't be a slaughterhouse for their goats and our farmers starting to raise their goat meat?

She said she regularly endures curses and insults from neighbors but still feels safe because she's confident police will protect her.

Oh! But "I" thought they were blaming it on the Mayor's LETTER?!

The sense of fear is greater among elderly members of the Somali community, many of whom speak little English, said Roda Abdi

Are they going to learn to speak ENGLISH???

[SheLion]

Maine Ping

[glockmeister40]

How many of them are illegal aliens?

[junta]

Nothing wrong with goat meat IMHO, alot wrong with our asylum policies though.

[July 4th]

Omar Jamal, a Somali activist from St. Paul, Minn

Don't you just love how people nowhere near the situation are telling the mayor how to run his city?

[SouthernFreebird]

Someone send that Mayor Fox's address in Mexico.......

[johniegrad]

I guess I just don't get it.

When you read these articles none of the refugees ever talk about the benefit they will bring to the community in terms of their skills, education, and abilities that will contribute to the area. If they are moving to a place like Lewiston, shouldn't they be able to educate their new neighbors how their presence will benefit the community and enhance peoples' lives?

Oh, you mean they aren't bringing anything positive with them in the move? They're simply looking for what they can get out of the place?

Can't imagine why the locals wouldn't be thrilled to have them there. After all, it certainly won't cost them anything and Lewiston has to be a veritable boom town.

Poor Somalis. People here in the US just don't understand.

[fight_truth_decay]

The majority came from Atlanta, as Maine shows higher rate of employment than other states. Although many have started small businesses and entered into the workplace, others are seen hanging out in front of a local convenience store.

After the letter to the Somali by the Mayor attracting national media attention, hate groups have entered the city trying to build up membership. A recent rally in their defense,attracted Maine politicians. Pro-Somali way outnumbered the hate groups. In checking out one of of their websites..they dwell "predominately" on hatred for the Jews.

Maine is 97% white.

[dts32041]

She said she regularly endures curses and insults from neighbors but still feels safe because she's confident police will protect her.

What she didn't mention is Maine is a right to carry state and she is carrying concealed.

[fight_truth_decay]

World Church of the Creator (Illinois) being the website offering a chatroom.

[SheLion]

How many of them are illegal aliens?

Probably not many, since the DemocRATS brought them in here, you know they want them to be able to VOTE! barf!

[SheLion]

Don't you just love how people nowhere near the situation are telling the mayor how to run his city?

Oh yes. The Mayor was pleading for the Somali's to not bring in anymore. His city was maxed out. So the Somali Chief took that to mean the Mayor is a racist. GIVE ME A BREAK!

[SheLion]

Oh, you mean they aren't bringing anything positive with them in the move? They're simply looking for what they can get out of the place?

Just an FYI: one girl went to the shelter to get diaper's for her baby. The Somali women beat her to it, and cleaned out every last diaper. What does this tell you!

[henderson field]

Yes, if diversity is richening, as I am told, then Lewiston must be rich beyond measure. The Somalis are only there to build a great nation. Oh, the great nation was built in 1791? Well it's way past that now.

[SheLion]

She said she regularly endures curses and insults from neighbors but still feels safe because she's confident police will protect her.

Oh yes, there is dissent among the neighborhood, but the Chief is still insisting ITS THE MAYOR! The Mayor had everyone's best interest at heart, yet the Chief is making the Mayor out to look like some inhuman racist.

[tom paine 2]

If they have so much to contribute, why don't they organize themselves (Give them weapons) and go back to Somalia and free it from the warlords?

[valkyrieanne]

Since when does the mayor of Lewiston check *his* right to free speech at the door? He is perfectly justified in speaking his mind about no new Somali immigration to his city. Of course the federal government can continue to resettle the Somalis there, but this is an example of the typical leftist tactic to *shut people up.* I'm glad someone out there has a spine & knows what it's for.

[NewHampshireDuo]

Maybe they're discovering the true meaning of W-I-N-T-E-R. Brrrrr.

[glockmeister40]

Since when does being an illegal alien stop a person from voting? It happens all over the country.

[SheLion]

Since when does the mayor of Lewiston check *his* right to free speech at the door? He is perfectly justified in speaking his mind about no new Somali immigration to his city. Of course the federal government can continue to resettle the Somalis there, but this is an example of the typical leftist tactic to *shut people up.* I'm glad someone out there has a spine & knows what it's for.

Exactly right!!!

The Chief also ask for the Mayor "to step down!" I couldn't believe my ears. I thought "Why? So YOU could be the MAYOR?" The nerve of this guy.

The Mayor said he would not step down. He still had a job to do, and he would remain in his seat until the voters removed him.