Rep. Ilhan Omar was booed Saturday night by a large crowd gathered at the Target Center for a performance by Somali artist Suldaan Seeraar.
The concert was reportedly scheduled to coincide with Somali Independence Day celebrations. It was Seeraar’s first concert in North America and Omar was apparently invited on stage to present him with an award.
“Don’t do this. Don’t do this. Don’t do this, please,” one man said into a microphone as the crowd began booing Omar.
Ilhan Omar got booed onstage at a concert featuring Somali singer Soldaan Seraar in Minnesota last night.
People in the crowd chanted "Get out!" & shouted "Get the f*ck out of here!". pic.twitter.com/sggii7h6sO— Leftism (@LeftismForU) July 3, 2022
“Get the f– out of here,” some people in the crowd shouted.
Independent photojournalist Rebecca Brannon was among those who caught the crowd’s reaction on video.
https://twitter.com/RebsBrannon/status/1543621600637067266
https://twitter.com/HafsaAbdi0/status/1543461986767347712
https://twitter.com/E11_Abdi/status/1543489839332466690
The Target Center is located in Minneapolis, a city that is home to one of the largest Somali populations in the country. Omar represents the city in Congress.
Saturday marked the beginning of “Somali Week,” which runs from July 2 to July 17. The city of Minneapolis is listed as an official sponsor of the festivities. For the third year in a row, Minneapolis won’t be holding a fireworks display to celebrate the Fourth of July.
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Alpha News staff wrote this report.
Image “Omar on Stage” by Rebecca Brannon.
