March 29, 2024
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Somalis plan complaint over letter

LEWISTON – Members of the Somali community and a coalition of advocacy groups said Wednesday they plan to file a complaint with the U.S. Justice Department against the city of Lewiston.

They said the complaint would ask for a federal review of Lewiston’s programs and services to ensure that they don’t discriminate on the basis of national origin.

The complaint comes in the midst of a controversy surrounding a letter written by Lewiston Mayor Larry Raymond asking that the Somalis in Lewiston urge their friends and family to not come to Lewiston because its resources were being stretched to the limit.

Many people in Lewiston have said they agree with the mayor, but others have called the letter racist because it singles out a particular ethnic group.

“The reality is that the [anti-discriminatory] policies are not being implemented,” said Kathy Poulos-Minot, founder of the National Limited English Proficient Advocacy Task Force in Portland. “Another concern is that when they are being implemented, the services are being delivered in a disrespectful and discriminatory manner by some city employees, and this whole thing with the mayor has made it 100 times worse.”

Phil Nadeau, assistant city manager, called the complaint “offensive,” “unwarranted” and even “laughable.” He said he is confident the city would fare well in any federal review.

“This is a work in progress and that kind of action suggests that we are somehow consciously not trying to meet the need, that we are somehow trying to skirt around the edges of the issue and do just the marginal work that needs to be done,” he said.

In his letter, Raymond asked for help in slowing the flow of Somalis into the city because, he said, the newcomers are straining the city’s finances. More than 1,000 Somalis have moved to Lewiston from other parts of the country since early last year.

“The Somali community must exercise some discipline and reduce the stress on our limited finances and our generosity,” Raymond wrote.

Attorney General Steven Rowe sent a letter written in both English and Somali on Wednesday to members of the Somali community in Maine, pledging his protection and support. He said the “vast, vast majority of Maine residents want you to feel welcome and safe.”

“Members of the Office of the Attorney General will do everything within our power to work with local law enforcement officials to ensure that the civil rights of all Maine residents are protected,” he wrote.


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