Rep. Ilhan Omar’s former campaign manager running for Minneapolis City Council

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April 23, 2021

Aisha Chughtai, a community activist and organizer who was once Rep. Ilhan Omar’s campaign manager, is now on a quest to curve out her own political career.

The 23-year-old daughter of Pakistani immigrants is running to represent Ward 10 in the city council. The incumbent, Lisa Bender, is not seeking reelection.

Minneapolis’ tenth ward, also known as Uptown, includes some of the city’s trendiest neighborhoods. The ward is home to boutiques, coffee shops, restaurants, bars, as well as Victorian homes designed by famous architects in the ward’s historical parts. The city has seen growth and change in the last few years with increasing diversity and population.

“I decided to run because I know that my community in Minneapolis is one that really needs to make sure that we are prioritizing the voices of those who are most impacted by our decisions,” Chughtai said.

Chughtai is running on a platform highlighting issues in public safety, affordable housing, and worker’s rights among others. She considers the challenge of affordable housing to be the most pressing one.

“I think the most critical piece is the housing,” she said. “We need to make sure people stay in the communities they love.”

As COVID-19 governmental restrictions and protections are due to be lifted, Chughtai said she wanted to ensure that renters were able to receive protection from post pandemic evictions.

In the state of Minnesota, it can take less than a month for an eviction to be processed from start to finish.

For Chughtai, the issue of housing instability is personal. She recalls many middle- and working-class families, including hers, moving from place to place in search of affordable housing in southwest Houston, Texas, where she spent her childhood.

“I remember moving from apartment to apartment every three months,” she recalled.

Chughtai grew up in a middle-class home with a mechanic father and a mother who was a Quranic instructor.

The family moved to Minnesota at the beginning of the global recession in 2008 after a work-related injury forced her father to pursue higher education in order to switch careers. Her parents moved to southern Minnesota, in the Mankato area, where they currently reside.

Affordable housing was what originally drew Chughtai to the ward five years ago, she said.

“I moved to this community because it was one of the only places in the city that I could afford to live,” she said.

In 2016 Chughtai moved to the Twin-Cities from Mankato after enrolling at the University of Minnesota. It was during that year that she realized her passion for advocacy and community organizing. She suspended her studies at the University of Minnesota to pursue a full-time career as an organizer.

“I feel really lucky that I found the thing that I wanted to do really early in life,” she said.

Chughtai has since worked in a series of campaigns, including serving as Congresswoman Omar’s campaign manager, campaigning for local candidates as well as Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders in his presidential bid.

Chughtai currently works for Service Employee International Union (SEIU) as a political organizer advocating for worker’s rights.

In the five years that she has been a resident in Ward 10, Chughtai said she has witnessed the ward struggle with affordable housing for its low-income residents. This issue has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the protests that followed the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer almost a year ago.

“I think we’re also incredibly resilient people,” Chughtai said.

In the past year, she has witnessed her community uniting to ensure that individuals are still able to obtain essential items and food.

“It’s hard but we took care of each other,” she said.

During the height of the protests, the ward’s shops that were once accessible by walking or public transportation closed. If elected to office, Chughtai promised to take immediate action on housing.

“If I’m lucky enough for my community to choose me, there’s a lot of immediate work we need to do on protecting tenants right away,” she said.

Chughtai said she plans to work on policies that improve the quality of life for everyone in the city.

“I want us to live in a world where everyone has the things they need to survive,” she said.

Despite the challenges that the city has faced, Chughtai considers Ward 10 home for herself and enjoys the inclusiveness and diversity.

“I love that this is a place of belonging for people,” she said.

The city of Minneapolis’ municipal elections are scheduled to take place on Nov. 2, 2021, with early voting expected to begin on Sept. 27.

Candidate website: www.aishaforward10.com

US State Department answers questions on immigrant visa backlogs including Diversity Visa and K Visa

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Mshale Staff

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April 22, 2021

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The US Department of State last week blamed visa backlogs abroad on “limitations in staffing and other COVID-related operational constraints preventing us from processing the same volume of applicants as pre-pandemic.”

In a wide ranging frequently asked questions (FAQ) it posted on its website on the immigrant visa backlog and other consular processing matters, the department blamed the previous Trump administration without naming it by saying that previous presidential proclamations “restricted visa processing for many immigrants for nearly a year.”

THE FAQ said that it is “prioritizing certain visas, creating efficiencies in the visa process, and utilizing all available resources until our task is accomplished.”

The FAQ went on to say that virtual interviews for those abroad are not available because current regulations “require all immigrant visa applicants to appear in person before a consular officer.”

Here is the list of FAQs that the State Department posted:

Why are there still immigrant visa interview backlogs?

Our number one priority is the safety of our applicants and our staff. The IV interview backlog has developed because of limitations in staffing and other COVID-related operational constraints preventing us from processing the same volume of applicants as pre-pandemic. In addition, Presidential Proclamation 10014 and geographic COVID proclamations restricted visa processing for many immigrants for nearly a year; it will take time to process the cases that were impacted by these travel restrictions.

What are you doing to decrease the backlog?

We are committed to decreasing this backlog by prioritizing certain visas, creating efficiencies in the visa process, and utilizing all available resources until our task is accomplished. Applicants should check the website of their nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for updates on what visa services are currently available.

Are virtual/Zoom interviews available for Immigrant Visa applicants?

No. Current regulations require all immigrant visa applicants to appear in person before a consular officer.

I live near a U.S. Consulate, but they do not process Immigrant Visas at that particular location and therefore I am forced to travel a long distance to appear for my interview. Why don’t you process IV interviews at every U.S. Embassy/Consulate?

As the best use of limited U.S. government resources, immigrant visa processing is consolidated in certain embassies and consulates. The Department of State continuously reviews the services we provide to best balance our service standards with efficient use of resources.

What are regional COVID-19 restrictions?

The geographic COVID-19-related Presidential Proclamations 9984, 9992, and 10143, which suspend entry into the US of foreign nationals who have been physically present in China, Iran, Schengen Area, UK, Ireland, Brazil, and South Africa in the 14 day period before seeking en-try into the US, remain in effect.

As of April 8, 2021, all IV applicants and K fiancé nonimmigrant visa applicants are excepted from the geographic COVID-19 PPs and may be processed.

Family-Based Categories

I have been waiting for an immigrant visa appointment. What should I do?

Immigrant visa applicants who are eligible for interview will be scheduled for appointments according to our existing phased resumption of visa services guidance: https://travel.state.gov/…/visa-services-operating…

How are immigrant visa applications being prioritized?

Posts that process immigrant visa applications are prioritizing visa categories in accordance with our phased resumption of visa services guidance. For more information, please see: https://travel.state.gov/…/visa-services-operating…

I believe I qualify for an immigrant visa, but I would be traveling from a country subject to a regional COVID visa restriction. What should I do?

As of April 8, 2021, all immigrant visa applicants are excepted from the geographic related COVID-19 Presidential Proclamations.

I was refused an IV due to Proclamation 9645 or 9983. Can I re-apply for my visa?

On January 20, the President ended the travel restrictions under PPs 9645 and 9983 that suspended entry into the US of certain nationals from Burma, Eritrea, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Libya, Nigeria, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Venezuela, and Yemen. IV applicants who were refused under PP 9645 or 9983 and were determined not to qualify for a waiver before January 20, 2020, may reapply for a visa by submitting a new visa application (DS-260) and paying a new visa application processing fee. IV applicants who were refused due to either P.P. 9645 or 9983 and whose eligibility for a waiver was still being evaluated as of January 20, 2021, will continue to have their applications processed without needing to submit a new application/fee.

K Visas

When can I schedule my K fiancé visa interview appointment?

K visa applicants will continue to have their applications prioritized in accordance with the prioritization guidance found here: https://travel.state.gov/…/visa-services-operating…. Please check the website of the Embassy or Consulate to see whether routine visa services are being provided. If you have already submitted all of the required documents, monitor your email for an appointment and further instructions.

I am a plaintiff in Milligan v. Pompeo – can I schedule my K visa interview?

K1 applicants who are named plaintiffs in Milligan v. Pompeo should contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate for guidance on scheduling a visa interview. The court order does not require that plaintiffs be given special priority ahead of other K1 applicants.

Diversity Visas

I was issued a Diversity Visa in FY 2020, but my visa expired and I was not able to travel to the US. What can I do?

Individuals whose DV2020 visas have expired may not be issued re-placement visas. However, by virtue of the court’s orders in Gomez v. Trump, individuals who received DVs in FY 2020 as a result of the orders in that case may travel to the US on that expired diversity immigrant visa. However, these visa holders are encouraged to travel on these expired visas as soon as possible.

I was selected for DV2020, but was unable to schedule my interview. Can I schedule an interview?

Unfortunately, no. DV2020 selectees who were not issued visas before the end of FY2020 cannot be interviewed, scheduled, or reconsidered for visas now, as, by law, those selectees were only eligible for issuance of a visa through the end of the 2020 fiscal year, which ended on September 30, 2020. You may enter to be selected for a future DV program.

I was refused a DV because of PP10014. Can I re-apply for a visa under the DV2020 program?

Unfortunately, no. DV2020 selectees who were not issued visas before the end of FY2020 cannot be interviewed, scheduled, or reconsidered for visas now, as by law those selectees were only eligible for issuance of a visa through the end of the 2020 fiscal year, which ended on September 30, 2020. You may enter to be selected for a future DV program.

I was selected for DV2021. Can I schedule my interview?

DV applicants for the 2021 fiscal year will be scheduled for an inter-view based on a post’s capacity and available resources. Applicants should wait for a notification of interview appointment, as embassies and consulates are able to accommodate such scheduling according to our existing phased resumption of visa services.

Will DV2021 selectees be scheduled for an interview prior to the end of the 2021 fiscal year? Will they be prioritized as the deadline draws nearer?

DV2021 selectees may only be interviewed in the 2021 fiscal year. Applicants should wait for a notification of interview appointment. U.S. Embassies and consulates will schedule appointments as resources and local conditions allow according to the resumption of visa services framework.

Employment Based

When can I schedule my Employment Based Immigrant Visa interview? Is my application being prioritized?

While posts that process immigrant visa applications will prioritize Immediate Relative family members of U.S. citizens including intercountry adoptions, fiance(e)s of U.S. citizens, and certain Special Immigrant Visa applications, we recognize the importance of employment based immigrants. All immigrant visa applicants who have not yet been interviewed or scheduled for an interview will have their applications processed according to our existing phased resumption of visa services framework.

Couple’s new apparel store bringing positive African vibes to Mall of America

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Cynthia Simba, Mshale Reporter

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April 16, 2021

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The Boatengs Feature by Mshale — Emmanuel and Tani Boateng outside United People Apparel, their new store on the third floor of Mall of America. Photo: Cynthia Simba/Mshale

The Covid-19 pandemic has forced a number of brick and mortar businesses to close their doors, but two bold entrepreneurs are turning the downturn into an opportunity to launch their dream business.

Tani and Emmanuel Boateng will open a store at the Mall of America on April 16 to advance what they say is their mission to bring positive change through a brand that celebrates the diversity that exists within the state of Minnesota. Their brand, United People Apparel, uses design inspirations from various cultures to unite humanity, they said.

“It’s more than just a clothing brand,” Tani Boateng said “It’s more like a lifestyle. It’s to bring awareness that humanity still exists.”

The Covid-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected brick and mortar businesses as government restrictions have placed a limit on the number of customers allowed indoors. By September 2020, nearly 100,000 businesses had closed their doors permanently, according to Yelp’s local economic impact report. But the Boatengs say they are confident that the quality and message of their brand will sustain their business.

The husband and wife, who live in Savage, Minn., first thought of the United People Apparel idea in June 2020, during the national protests that followed the death of George Flyod, an unarmed African-American man killed by a Minneapolis police officer. The brand features various Minnesota themed merchandise with design that reflects the state’s urban cultural diversity.

Emmanuel Boateng is no stranger to entrepreneurship. He got introduced to business ownership in his childhood in Ghana, where he often accompanied his grandmother to the market to sell the vegetables she grew.

“It was something that I liked,” Emmanuel said. “When I came to America, it was something that I had in mind.”

The couple’s first dual entrepreneurship venture began back in 2016 when they launched Ahenfo, a brand that showcases unique Ghanaian designs. Their new venture draws from that past experience, which has also enabled them to create and launch their latest brand in a swift manner.

Boateng Store Mall of America by Mshale scaled — A sign tells mall goers of the future opening of United People Apparel at the Mall of America. The store, the brainchild of Emmanuel and Tani Boateng will open on April 16, 2021. Photo: Cynthia Simba/Mshale

The couple launched United People Apparel by creating designs on attire and showcasing their merchandise to friends and family. They later expanded to their communities, and began advertising and selling at local fairs. After receiving a lot of positive feedback, the Boatengs decided to set up a booth at the Twin Cities marathon, where they were able to reach a diverse array of customers.

In October of last year, as Emmanuel Boateng was sharing the details of newly formed United People Apparel with a coworker, his colleague suggested the possibility of selling their goods at the Mall of America.

“At first we wanted those carts you see in the middle,” Emmanuel Boateng said.

However, after presenting their inventory to the leasing agents, they were encouraged to open a store instead.

“I remember the leasing agency saying, ‘If you choose a cart you are only limiting yourself,’” Tani Boateng said.

They secured space on the third floor on the western part of the building, right in between Goldy’s Locker Room, which sells University of Minnesota attire, and a small wig shop. They signed the lease in January and have been in the process of setting up the space for the opening.

“It’s like a dream come true,” Emmanuel Boateng said.

Boateng Store Wlak By by Mshale scaled — Shoppers at Mall of America walk past a sign telling them of the future opening of United People. The store, the brainchild of Emmanuel and Tani Boateng will open on April 16, 2021. Photo: Cynthia Simba/Mshale

United People Apparel’s merchandise is largely printed in Minnesota to ensure quality and inventory turnover. The brand also has partnerships with manufacturers in India, China, and Ghana.

For the Boateng’s, United People Apparel is a fulltime venture. The couple has been working round the clock to ensure the store is ready for opening day. Tani Boateng, who was born in Jamaica, resigned from her work in an accounting firm to work in the store fulltime. She said they plan to comply with Covid-19 restrictions and offer online shopping options through United People Apparel’s website.

Beyond unity, the Boatengs see their entrepreneurial venture as a way to give back to their communities through employment.

“Somebody gave me a chance, so I would like to give somebody else an opportunity too,” Emmanuel Boateng said.

The couple’s desire for unity is a message they plan to share with the entire country.

“With unity we can go far,” Emmanuel said. “If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want go far you go with someone.”

Minneapolis mayoral candidate pool grows: A.J. Awed joins the race

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Mohamud Farah Dulyadeyn, Mshale Contributing Writer

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April 16, 2021

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AJ Awed-2 — A.J. Awed has launched his bid for Minneapolis Mayor. Candidate filing period will begin on July 27 through August 10 and the election is on November 2, 2021. Photo: Siyad Salah/Somali TV

The pool of candidates for Minneapolis mayor just became a little bigger. A. J. Awed who last year ran unsuccessfully for City Council during a special election to represent the Sixth Ward, announced his bid on April 8 in front of supporters.

Awad, the co-director of the Cedar-Riverside Community Council, believes that the city is due for fresh leadership accusing the incumbent, Mayor Jacob Frey, of failing the city during the George Floyd crisis.

Awad, 30, stated his priorities include police reform, protecting and expanding public housing, reshaping public safety, and addressing the opioid crisis.

Speaking at his campaign launch, Awed accused Mayor Frey of not doing much in regards to housing programs, rent control, and bringing people together.

Speaking to Mshale after his public launch, Awed stressed the importance of creating a new and “community-owned public safety model” based on restorative justice, combating the rise of addiction, better access to housing, investing in local businesses, and encouraging sustainability practices for a green economy.

He went on to say, “As we attempt to reconcile and reconstruct a new model of public safety, we need a mayor who has lived the experience to transform our public safety apparatus; not one who relies solely on someone else’s personal and tragic experiences. This is what compels me to run – because I have the leadership skills, community relationships, and the necessary compassion to move us all forward in these difficult and challenging times.”

He joins four other candidates who want to unseat the incumbent. Others who have already joined the race as of the time of this writing include Kate Knuth, Sheila Nezhad, Jerrell Perry and Phil Sturm.

The candidate filing period will begin on July 27 through August 10.

Election Day is November 2, 2021.

5 takeaways from the Brooklyn Park special primary election results

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Tom Gitaa, Editor-in-Chief

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April 15, 2021

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Elections are about putting people in office, or in the case of primaries like the one on Tuesday in Brooklyn Park, closer to office. They give us indications of what voters are thinking. Brooklyn Park voters narrowed the field to the required two on Tuesday for the upcoming August 10 special election for mayor in a race that attracted seven candidates.

Hollies Winston, the DFL endorsed candidate in the nonpartisan race emerged tops in terms of votes followed by East District council member Lisa Jacobson. You can view the complete results here.

Here are five key takeaways.

Low voter turnout

Primary elections statewide and in the nation that happen in an off-year election – with no presidential or governor races in contention – tend to be low turnout affairs and Tuesday’s special primary was no exception. Only 11 percent of the 47,585 Brooklyn Park registered voters took part.

As dismal as that was for a primary, it is not the worst in recent memory. That distinction goes to the August 2016 primary which had a voter turnout of just 7.6 percent.

The two candidates that emerged from Tuesday had contrasting views as to the low turnout. Jacobson attributed it to the ongoing pandemic and the “tragedies surrounding us in ours and neighboring communities,” referring to the neighboring Brooklyn Center police fatal shooting of unarmed 20-year-old Daunte Wright during a traffic stop. The killing of the young Black man set off nights of protests in Brooklyn Center which spilled over momentarily to Brooklyn park. The white police officer who killed him is a resident of Champlin, a city that also shares a border with Brooklyn Park.

Hollies Winston and Lisa Jacobson came in first and second respectively in the April 13, 2021 special election for Mayor of Brooklyn Park. They advance to the August 10, 2021 special election.

Cities surrounding Brooklyn Park imposed curfews starting at 10pm to deal with the expected protests, but Brooklyn Park’s Mayor Pro Tempore, Tonja West-Hafner, issued one for 8pm on the primary night, and provided exceptions to among others, voters and poll workers.

Winston who agreed with Jacobson on the pandemic depressing turnout took exception to West-Hafner’s early curfew calling it a “voter suppression” tactic. In a short interview the day after the election, Winston asked rhetorically “you think people look to read the fine print when they hear there is a curfew? they just decide to skip it (voting) altogether.” He said there might have been people who had planned to vote on their way from work before the 8pm poll closing time but decided to forego out of fear.

The machine is alive

Voters and critics have been wary of political parties and PACs meddling in what are “nonpartisan” municipal elections but on Tuesday it was the two candidates that had PAC support and a party endorsement that emerged victorious.

The city is overwhelmingly Democratic and even in a non-partisan race, official party support proved pivotal for Hollies Winston who emerged tops in terms of votes. He was the DFL endorsed candidate and also had the support of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 292, a union PAC. Lisa Jacobson on her part despite lackluster fundraising had the support of the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters’ political action committee which gave her the $600 maximum contribution allowed under campaign finance laws.

Another election is possible within months of the Aug. 10 special election

Tuesday’s election had three sitting council members running, guaranteeing another special election if two of them advanced to the August 10 special election for mayor.

However, with Tuesday’s results, only voters in the East District have a 50 percent chance that they might need to elect a new council member should Lisa Jacobson win as mayor on August 10. Voters in the Central and West Districts also had their council members bidding for mayor on Tuesday but will not have to contend with that possibility any longer, as Boyd Morson and Wynfred Russell, their respective council members failed in their bids to advance.

85^th Avenue is the dividing line

North of 85^th Ave is where the election might be won depending on the August 10 voter turnout.

Hollies Winston, the DFL endorsed candidate in Tuesday’s race won all but four of the twenty-four precincts. Jacobson won in four precincts, all located in the East Ward that she represents in the city council. She was also competitive in an additional four precincts.

The defining characteristics of the precincts Jacobson won and the four she was competitive in is that they are all north of 85^th Avenue

In last year’s general election, President Biden racked up wins in all of the 24 precincts in Brooklyn Park, getting almost 70 percent of the vote in many of them. Where Biden faced serious competition from former President Trump was in four precincts where the former president had significant support. They are all located north of 85^th Avenue where pockets of Republicans still reside. One of those precincts is located on Highway 610 and Winnetka where Trump was able to get almost 40 percent of the vote, 1,088 votes to Biden’s 1,566.

Nomination signatures do not equate to votes

To be on the ballot on Tuesday, the city charter required candidates filing for office to submit 75 nominating signatures from registered voters in the city.

Seven candidates were qualified to run by the city clerk back in February after he verified the submitted names and signatures of the nominators.

Interestingly, one of the candidates, Yelena Kurdyumova either could not convince all of her 75 nominators to vote for her or they decided to vote for someone else.

Kurdyumova had only 26 people voting for her on Tuesday.

Brooklyn Park mayoral race: Lisa Jacobson and Hollies Winston advance to August 10 special election

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Tom Gitaa, Editor-in-Chief

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April 13, 2021

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Vote Sign — A sign directs voters during extended absentee voting at city hall in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota on Saturday, April 10, 2021 for the April 13, 2021 special primary election for mayor. Photo: Tom Gitaa/Mshale

Hollies Winston and Lisa Jacobson have advanced in the special primary election to elect a new mayor for Brooklyn Park. Seven candidates competed in Tuesday’s election.

The two will now square off in the August 10 special election for mayor.

10.9 percent of the city’s 47,585 registered voters took part in the special primary election.

The results as announced by Devin Montero, the city clerk, are as follows:

Lisa Jacobson	1291
Yelena S. Kurdyumova	26
Mark Mata	817
Boyd Morson	348
Benjamin Osemenam	196
Wynfred Russell	291
Hollies Winston	1854

Also Read: 5 takeaways from the Brooklyn Park special primary election results

Hollies Winston and Lisa Jacobson came in first and second respectively in the April 13, 2021 special election for Mayor of Brooklyn Park. They advance to the August 10, 2021 special election.Both Winston and Jacobson have thanked supporters for their victories and said they look forward to the August 10 special election.

Jacobson who is a current member of the Brooklyn Park City Council said in an email message to Mshale “I am grateful for the trust placed in me to move onto the general election on August 10th. As a current city council member and a dedicated volunteer for over 30 years, I work hard each and every day to make Brooklyn Park a city that leads by example.”

In a Facebook post, Winston said “I want to extend a heartfelt thanks to all our voters, team, supporters and my family. This success is all of ours, and I am so excited for what we can accomplish over the next 5 months. Onward to August!”

This story has been updated to include reactions from the two top candidates.

Minnesota pauses Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine following CDC recommendations

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Mshale Staff

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April 13, 2021

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Janssen Vaccine — The Minnesota Department of Health has paused the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine (Janssen) effective April 13, 2021 following federal recommendations after reports of an“extremely rare type of blood clot that has been reported in six people" that received it. Photo: Shutterstock

The Minnesota Department of Health has paused the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine (Janssen) effective April 13, 2021 following federal recommendations after reports of an“extremely rare type of blood clot that has been reported in six people

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has said it has told health providers in the state to pause use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine following recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The two agencies have recommended a pause while they review data about what they call an “extremely rare type of blood clot that has been reported in six people who received that vaccine in the United States.”

All six cases occurred among women between the ages of 18 and 48, and symptoms occurred 6 six to 13 days after vaccination.

Minnesota Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm said that until that process is complete, Minnesota health officials have advised a pause in the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine “out of an abundance of caution.”

184,000 Minnesotans have so far received the J & J vaccine and MDH says it is not aware of any cases of the rare blood clot among them. However, Minnesotans who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine who develop severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination should contact their health care provider.

Commissioner Malcom said that the J & J vaccine accounted for only 6.6 percent of the total supply of vaccines the state has received “so the pause is not expected to dramatically slow the pace of vaccinations in the state.”

“While this issue appears to be extremely rare, CDC and FDA are acting in a very cautious manner that underscores our commitment to vaccine safety,” Commissioner Malcolm said. “We will be closely monitoring the federal review process and use that information to help guide our efforts here in Minnesota in the days ahead.”

Minnesota has been among the states leading in vaccination rates.

Those who had appointments for the J & J vaccine can use the Vaccine Locator map to look for other vaccination appointments at this link.

Ahead of Ramadan, Islamic Association of North America urges Muslims to get COVID vaccine

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Tom Gitaa, Editor-in-Chief

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April 9, 2021

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Coronavirus,Vaccination,Campaign.,African,Muslim,Female,Patient,In,Hijab,Getting — Muslim organizations in Minnesota have urged their faithful to take the COVID vaccines ahead of Ramadan and have also started vaccination exercises at their mosques. Photo: Shutterstock

Muslim Getting COVID Vaccine — Muslim organizations in Minnesota have urged their faithful to take the COVID vaccines ahead of Ramadan and have also started vaccination exercises at their mosques. Photo: Shutterstock

As Ramadan approaches Islamic Association of North America leaders are encouraging Muslims to take the COVID-19 vaccine in preparation for the holy month.

Their message echoes that of other Imams in Minnesota that Mshale reported in March.

Speaking via a video message, Imam Hassan Jama, the executive director of Islamic Association of North America said that “scholars and Imams of IANA have agreed that taking COVID vaccine is permissible and agreed by the scholars that taking the vaccine does not break one’s fast because it is not considered food and drink.”

His message was echoed by Imam Mohamed Mursal, chair of the IANA board who spoke in Somali.

Ramadan will start on April 12 or 13 depending on the sighting of the moon. Fasting during the month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam.

On April 2, the Muslim American Society of Minnesota started administering 5,600 of the Johnson & Johnson vaccines it said it had been allocated. The vaccination exercise which will conclude on April 13 when Ramadan is expected to begin is taking place at fifteen Twin Cities area mosques and one in Rochester.

Vaccines at the mosques were made available to both Muslims and those from the BIPOC community. This reporter was vaccinated at the Masjid Al Tawba in Eden Prairie yesterday when that mosque held its vaccination exercise.

The organization said it was offered a choice of three of the approved COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna and J & J) and chose the Johnson & Johnson because “we wanted the Muslims to be fully vaccinated before Ramadan starts. J&J is faster; one shot and done, while Moderna or Pfizer requires two shots 21 or 28 days apart, so the people will not be fully vaccinated until the end of Ramadan.”

The organization said it wanted to avoid a situation where one might need to break their fast during Ramadan if they develop side effects that needs them to take medicine.

A fatwa declaring COVID vaccines halal (permissible) can be found here.

Brooklyn Park mayoral race: Following the money

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Tom Gitaa, Editor-in-Chief

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April 7, 2021

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With less than a week until the April 13 special primary election for mayor of Brooklyn Park, three of the Seven candidates running have filed their pre-primary campaign finance report of receipts and expenditures as required by Minnesota law. The campaign finance disclosures were due on Tuesday, April 6 to the Hennepin County campaign finance office.

Seven candidates are running in the contest to succeed former Mayor Jeff Lunde, who left office January 3 after being elected to the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners. The mayoral special primary election will be held next week on April 13 although early and absentee voting is already underway. There will be extended in-person voting this Saturday, April 10 at city hall from 10am to 3pm.

The top two candidates will advance to the August 10 special election for mayor.

Hollies Winston and Lisa Jacobson are the only two following the letter and spirit of Minnesota campaign finance laws

Minnesota statutes that govern campaign finance state that within 14 days, a candidate raising or spending at least $100 must register their candidacy or campaign committee. The statutes say registration must occur even if the $100 is from the candidates own pocket. In the case of the Brooklyn Park, that filing is with the Hennepin County elections office.

As of April 6, at the close of business, only Hollies Winston and Lisa Jacobson had registered their campaign committees with Hennepin County. Winston having registered his back in July 2020 and Jacobson on February, 24 2021, shortly after filing her mayoral candidacy with the city.

The non-registration of the other five campaigns would suggest that since February 16 when they had officially registered and April 6, which is a week before the primary, they had spent less than $100.

As this story was about to publish, the Hennepin County elections office indicated Benjamin Osemenam’s campaign committee registration was received by the county on April 7.

Money pours in

As of the writing of this story on April 7 at 5pm after county offices closed for the day, the county had received pre-primary campaign finance report of receipts and expenditures from three of the seven candidates running for Brooklyn Park mayor. The reports were required by yesterday (April 6).

Reports from Benjamin Osemenam, Lisa Jacobson and Hollies Winston had been received by the deadline.

In the case of Osemenam, it shows he was receiving campaign donations as early as February 27 even though he had not registered his campaign finance committee as required by campaign finance laws.

The county has been encouraging candidates to file the reports electronically due to the pandemic but will accept reports via the postal service. As long as the reports arrive postmarked April 6, they will be considered arriving by the deadline and will not incur a fine for late filing.

The three candidates that filed by yesterday’s deadline show that they received thousands of dollars combined, mostly from local donors, including a smattering of the maximum $600 maximum allowed per individual for mayoral elections, according to the Hennepin County Campaign Finance records.

According to the candidates that have filed, their campaign finance reports show more than 45 donations totaling $11,675. That does not include money Winston already raised in 2020 when he started running. The reports filed yesterday cover just the 2021 portion of the campaign.

When you include the money Winston raised late last year, the total contributions directed at the three candidates come to about $22,000.

Because Winston started campaigning last fall, he was required by law to file a year end report by this past February. Based on that report he was able to carry over a healthy cash balance of over $7,000 into the reporting period that ended yesterday (April 6).

Hollies Winston leads the money race

In the context of a mayoral race in a city the size of Brooklyn Park, Mr. Winston is awash in cash. Winston has raised close to $20,000 from almost 80 donors since he started his campaign back in 2020. In the filing period that ended yesterday, he reported spending $19,975 with most of the money going to Google Ads, printing and related campaign materials.

The average contribution to Winston was $250 for the first quarter of 2021 that the April 6 filing covers. He did receive six contributions of $600, which is the maximum a single individual can give to a Brooklyn Park mayoral candidate this year.

The race for Brooklyn park mayor is nonpartisan but Winston is the endorsed candidate of

Hollies Winston leads in fundraising ahead of the April 13 2021 special primary election for mayor of Brooklyn Park. Photo: HolliesWinston.org

the DFL and the campaign finance reports show the party is sending money his way. The Minnesota DFL, DFL Senate District 36, DFL Senate District 40 and the DFL African American Caucus have each given him the maximum allowed $600.

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 292 union, which operates out of Brooklyn Park has also contributed the maximum $600 to the Hollies Winston campaign.

After accounting for campaign expenses which totaled over $7,000, Winston’s report shows he has a cash balance of $5,540, the most of the three candidates that filed by the deadline.

Second in fundraising is Lisa Jacobson who reported receiving just $1,600 from three couples for a total of $1,000 and the maximum $600 from the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters’ political action committee to bring her total haul to $1,600.

The entire $1,600 she raised went to one printing company for printing expenses. No other expenses are listed in her report.

Jacobson reported a balance of just $66 cash on hand.

Benjamin Osemenam’s campaign finance report to the county shows it is operating in the red one week before the special primary election. After raising $1,850 from 14 individuals each giving an average of $100, his campaign reported to Hennepin County that it has a negative balance of -$5, 832.

No donor has contributed the maximum $600 allowed to his campaign. There was a single donor that gave $500.

The Osemenam campaign in their filing reported paying just over $4,000 for flyers and another $2,600 to a mobile texting company. The level of expenditures versus campaign donations received indicate the candidate is for the most part financing his own campaign.

Note: If before the April 13 special primary election for mayor the Hennepin County campaign finance office indicates the other candidates have filed their campaign finance reports for this quarter, this story will be updated. Candidates need to have the reports postmarked by April 6 to be considered compliant.

Learn about COVID-19 vaccines

By

Minnesota Dept. of Health

-

April 5, 2021

0

COVID-19 vaccines help protect you against COVID-19 disease. As of early February, more than 46 million doses have been given to people in the United States. As more people in your community get vaccinated, the disease will begin to go away.

Even though scientists were able to produce a vaccine quickly, the COVID-19 vaccines were carefully tested before they could be used. With extra funding from the federal government, the process from testing the vaccines to making the vaccines was able to happen faster and more efficiently. It is important to know that steps to check for safety were not skipped.

A vaccine can be used only if the studies show that the vaccine is safe and works. Learn more about how the COVID-19 vaccines were made at How COVID-19 Vaccines Are Made (https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/vaxprocess.pdf). Translations are available at About COVID-19 Vaccine (https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/vaccine/basics.html#make).

Not only are the COVID-19 vaccines safe, but they work! The COVID-19 vaccines are very good at protecting people from getting sick from COVID-19. And even if someone who is vaccinated does get sick with COVID-19 disease, the vaccines prevent severe disease and hospitalizations most of the time. Because the vaccines do not work 100% of the time, it is important to keep wearing a mask, staying 6 feet from others, and washing your hands often until many more people are vaccinated.

Many people are wondering when they can get vaccinated. You can learn who is eligible to get vaccinated at Who’s Getting Vaccinated? (https://mn.gov/covid19/vaccine/whos-getting-vaccinated/index.jsp). When it is your turn to get a COVID-19 vaccination, you can find where to get vaccinated at Find My Vaccine (https://mn.gov/covid19/vaccine/find-vaccine/index.jsp). The COVID-19 vaccine is free to everyone; insurance and immigration status do not matter.

Everyone will have an opportunity to get vaccinated, it will just take time. We know that for some, it is really hard to wait right now. We ask that you be patient. Vaccine is constantly being made and distributed, and there will start to be more vaccine available to Minnesotans later this spring. Continue to tune into your local news source, and follow the Minnesota Department of Health’s social media. These will be good sources of information when there are COVID-19 vaccine updates.

Want to learn more about COVID-19 vaccine? Find resources and answers to common concerns and questions at About COVID-19 Vaccine (https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/vaccine/basics.html).

Brooklyn Park mayoral race enters critical final week

By

Tom Gitaa, Editor-in-Chief

-

April 2, 2021

0

BP Water Tank — Early in-person voting and absentee vote by mail is going on through April 12, 2021 for the April 13, 2021 special primary election for mayor of Brooklyn Park.

As Brooklyn Park voters enter the final week of the special primary election campaign for mayor, early in-person voting and mail-in absentee voting has been off to a slow start.

Just 487 people had voted as of Wednesday afternoon (March 31), according to the city clerk Devin Montero. When polls opened in last November’s general election, the city’s 24 precincts had 47,520 registered voters. In terms of population the city is Minnesota’s sixth largest.

There are seven candidates on the ballot for the April 13 special primary election. Three of the seven currently serve on the city council and one is a former council member.

As of this writing, the candidates have had two candidate forums, which you can watch here and here.

The mayor’s seat became vacant after former Mayor Jeff Lunde was elected to the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners last November.

How to vote before the April 13 special primary election

Through April 12: You can vote in-person at City Hall, Monday through Friday between 8am-4:30pm. City Hall is at 5200 85^th Ave. N.

Saturday voting in-person: If you can only vote in-person on a Saturday, you can do so on Saturday, April 10 from 10am to 3pm.

By mail: If you have not already mailed your ballot, you might want to do that as soon as possible, ideally by April 6 because of the well-publicized postal challenges. If you have not already downloaded and filled out your ballot, you can do so at this Brooklyn Park city website.

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Hollies Winston leads the money race

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85^th Avenue is the dividing line