Racist Threats and Harassment Follow Display of Somali Flag at Vermont School
A small school district in Vermont has been subjected to a barrage of racist and threatening calls and messages after flying the Somali flag in response to President Trump’s derogatory comments about the Somali community in Minnesota. The Winooski School District, which has a student body that includes about 9% people of Somali descent, displayed the flag as a symbol of solidarity and inclusivity.
The decision to fly the Somali flag was made by Winooski School District Supt. Wilmer Chavarria, a Nicaraguan immigrant himself, who wanted to create a sense of normalcy and belonging for the students and community amidst a sea of racist rhetoric nationally. The flag was flown alongside the Vermont state flag and beneath the United States flag, and Somali students were overjoyed, telling administrators that it meant a great deal to them.
Backlash and Harassment
However, the display of the Somali flag was met with a deluge of phone calls, voicemails, and social media posts aimed at district workers and students, with some school phone lines and the district website being shut down to shield staff from harassment. The content of these attacks was extremely deplorable, with some individuals making vile and threatening comments. Chavarria expressed his concern and sorrow for the students, families, and staff who were being targeted, stating that “our staff members, our administrators, and our community are overwhelmed right now, and they are being viciously attacked.”
Mukhtar Abdullahi, a multilingual liaison for families in the district who speak Somali, emphasized that “no one, no human being, regardless of where they come from, is garbage.” He also noted that students have been asking if their immigrant parents are safe, highlighting the fear and anxiety that these threats have instilled in the community.
Investigation and Support
The district is working with law enforcement to investigate the continued threats, and additional police officers have been stationed at school buildings as a precaution. The community has come together to show support for the school and its students, with many expressing gratitude for the district’s efforts to promote diversity and inclusivity. Chavarria plans to continue celebrating the district’s diversity, including holding events with catered Somali food, to make students feel like they belong and that this is their country and school district.
The incident has sparked a wider conversation about the importance of promoting diversity, inclusivity, and respect for all individuals, regardless of their background or nationality. As Chavarria noted, “I felt sorrow for the students, the families, the little kids that are my responsibility to keep safe. And it’s my responsibility to make them feel like they belong and that this is their country and this is their school district. This is what we do.”
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