Forum focuses on posting of cartoons in St. Cloud

Forum focuses on posting of cartoons in St. Cloud
By Mark Sommerhauser • msommerhauser@stcloudtimes.com • January 27, 2010

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Anywhere else is a different story, Lam told city leaders and a crowd of hundreds at City Hall on Tuesday night.
Lam was speaking about last month's posting of anti-Muslim cartoons in St. Cloud, at a forum hosted by the Council on American-Islamic Relations—Minnesota Chapter.
Many speakers questioned local authorities' response to the incident, and asked why the man who has admitted to posting the cartoons doesn't face criminal charges. Others criticized city leaders for not doing enough to combat long-standing discrimination against Muslims and people of color.
Lam told city leaders she's been to plenty of "kumbaya meetings" about discrimination. This time, Lam wanted to know what will happen next.
"I've been here for four years, and I'm scared of this city," Lam said. "What are you going to do to show that you are going to protect all citizens of St. Cloud?"
City leaders responded with little beyond what was announced Friday, when city attorneys cited a Waite Park man who's admitted to posting the cartoons. Sidney Allen Elyea is charged with two counts of violating an ordinance against posting materials on fixtures — civil charges that carry maximum fines of $250 each.
That wasn't enough for many at Tuesday's forum, who suggested the man could be charged with disorderly conduct or other, more serious offenses. City Attorney Jan Petersen told the crowd that his office considered pressing criminal charges against Elyea but decided it wouldn't hold up in court.
City leaders also urged residents to report instances of discrimination or harassment. St. Cloud Police Chief Dennis Ballantine said that entails a "two-way street" of cooperation between city leaders and community members.
"You've got to work with us," Ballantine said. "You can't sit back and wait for us to find all the solutions."
For Lam — who moved here from Rochester to attend St. Cloud State University — the cartoon incident sparked her own ugly memories of facing discrimination in St. Cloud. Lam was born in Sudan and is Christian, but says she's been heckled in public for being a Muslim. The issue is especially meaningful to Lam because she says her family fled Sudan to escape religious persecution.
Others told similar stories, like Fathiya Mohamed. She said many Somalis graduate from local universities but flee St. Cloud, believing there are no opportunities for them here.
Mohamed, a Somali who lives in St. Cloud, said Tuesday's forum was a start toward reversing that problem.
"It was a great learning opportunity for everyone," Mohamed said.