Civil Rights Advocate Jaylani Hussein Gives Testimony during Field Hearing at Minnesota State Capitol

“Don’t tell me that President Trump does not hate Black people.” 

Photo by Georgia Fort

Twenty eight members of the US congress visited the Minnesota state capitol today to hold a hearing on Trump’s ongoing lawless assaults on our communities. Witnesses shared accounts of personal trauma and constitutional violations. 

Among the witnesses was CAIR-MN executive director and Civil Rights advocate Jaylani Hussein. He testified that presidential rhetoric–especially under Donald Trump–has tangible consequences. These consequences have led to the normalizing of harassment, escalating threats, and increasing risk of violence against marginalized and historically underrepresented communities. 

Hussein explained that while Somali Americans have been in Minnesota for 30 years, “[we] sit in an intersection of multiple marginalized identities. We are Black. We are immigrants; and we are Muslim.” He also offered that the group has been systemically scapegoated through long-standing institutional discrimination including surveillance, travel bans, and voter suppression.

Hussein warned that dehumanization spreads beyond its initial targets, citing the murder of Renee Nicole Good as evidence that unchecked hate endangers everyone. He urged Congress to defend the constitution and act immediately to stop injustice before it costs more lives.