Less than a week ago, Bluestem posted West Central Tribune: Just leave Willmar out of your bigoted and untrue stories about us, which was picked up by Daily Kos in This week at progressive state blogs: challenging bigots in Minnesota; starving Uncle Sam.
Both posts were based in the West Center Tribune's editorial, Our fair city of Willmar is doing just fine, thank you.
Now the paper has received a letter from Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton, Kudos on defending Willmar immigrants:
I read with interest the West Central Tribune’s Jan. 21 editorial defending Willmar’s immigrant community. I commend the editorial board for speaking out against hateful speech that demeans Willmar’s East-African residents. I thank you for celebrating the invaluable economic and cultural contributions of these hard-working Minnesotans.
Minnesota was built by immigrants and pioneers. Today’s immigrants may look and sound different than the Germans and Scandinavians of generations past. But their hard work, and the dreams and aspirations they hold for their children, themselves, and our communities are no different.
Willmar is stronger because of our immigrant neighbors. So is Minnesota.
Willmar and the West Central Tribune have taken an important stand. I applaud your courage. And I stand with you as a partner as we resolve to make our state a welcoming place for all Minnesotans.
Mark Dayton
Governor
The paper also shares Willmar pastor Lyle W.A. Peterson's LTE, Challenge rumors, seek the facts:
Thank your for your insightful editorial on Jan. 21 regarding our Muslim neighbors in the Willmar community.
We winter in California and we even had received an email with that biased piece that you referred to in your editorial out here.
We responded back to the sender by stating that was NOT the Willmar we know and love.
Sadly, too many people forward such erroneous and mean-spirited emails without bothering to check the sources, causing prejudice and divisiveness to foster and grow. We can all do our small part to improve our communities and world by not forwarding such “garbage” and instead challenging people who do.
It's worth revisiting Linda Vanderwerf's article Muslims in Willmar say life here has remained peaceful, free of harassment, an article that was spurred reports of anti-Muslim harassment and violence in other areas.
Willmar isn't a paradise for anyone living there, but many people, new and established residents, work intentionally to build a better community. Those talking against refugees and immigrants haven't made their case, though they've tried.
As we noted in July's Rejected by Willmar voters but shared by Draz & Bennett: Bob Enos continues anti-refugee rants, residents had a chance to hear out anti-refugee activist Bob Enos and cast ballots for him. They said no in the open process of democracy.
Photo: From September 2014: Bashir Yusuf speaks to participants in the Walk the Corridor tour Tuesday at his restaurant, Somali Star. Event participants visited ethnically-owned businesses in downtown Willmar. (Tribune photo by Gary Miller). via Walk the Corridor, West Central Tribune.
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