Minutes - 2026/01/26 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council January 26, 2026 Regular Meeting Page 14 Murwo Mohamed, 2657 Mounds View Boulevard #203, explained she has lived in the community for almost 16 years now. She stated she loves Mounds View very much. She noted she lifts weights at the Community Center and runs in the community. She reported she was a US citizen, and she appreciated how the Mounds View Police Department and the City Councilmembers recognized her. She indicated she was terrified to visit Minneapolis at this time. She commented she worked in the Minneapolis Public School District as a teacher. She indicated she was paranoid and now has four cameras at her home. She expressed concern with the fact the American president has said an entire community was garbage. She explained that she felt under attack. She described how she saw unmarked cars outside the school she worked at, which was also terrifying for the children in the school, who were not illegal. She explained she came to the United States as a legal refuge and she was a citizen. She stated she did not trust the ICE agents working in the community. She reiterated that she loves living in this community, but she was scared. She questioned if ICE could be driving around the parking lot of her apartment complex. Police Chief Zender stated it was his understanding this was a public parking lot and ICE agents could enter this space. Mel Brandl, 2259 Knoll Drive, explained he has been a resident of Mounds View for the past 50 years. He thanked the Council for all they do on behalf of the community. He then discussed how for four years, an unlimited number of immigrants were flooding into the country, and many were criminals. He stated these individuals were now in the United States and the president has sworn to make America safe again. He indicated he understood there were things that needed to be addressed and it was his hope these concerns would be addressed by ICE agents. He stated it was very good to hear the City Council support the Mounds View Police Department. He reported the Council has sworn to protect the residents of Mounds View and he hopes this is done. He indicated the residents of Mounds View need the belief and confidence that the City Council will continue to protect and serve the public. He commented further on the difference between protest, rally and a riot. Mohammad Samor, 7285 Hidden Hollow Court, reported his family has lived in Mounds View his entire life. He stated his parents purchased their first home on Bona Road and he attended Pinewood Elementary School. He explained in 1992 his parents moved to Pleasant View Drive where his parents still live. He indicated he has lived all over this country, has served this country in Washington DC and he chose to return to Mounds View. He stated one in three people in Mounds View was a person of color. He discussed how the people of color in this community were being treated at this time. He explained his father came to America from Uganda where all descendants of Asian descent were forced to leave the country. He stated his father came to the United States seeking a new life for his family and a place to raise his children and grandchildren. He reported his father asked him if he should be afraid about getting picked up by ICE because he was dark skinned. He indicated his seven-year-old daughter worries about his brother going to play at the park because of his dark skin. He stated that justice delayed is justice denied. He explained action was needed now because people were afraid to go to the grocery store. He commented on how he stopped going to his office because he doesn’t want to be stopped on the street. He was of the opinion this was about political retribution and not immigration enforcement. He stated people of color were being stopped indiscriminately on the streets and those with an accent are being asked for their papers. He reported this happened in Germany in the 1930’s and should not be