The raids here were coordinated with similar attacks in Boston, Seattle, and Columbus, Ohio, claiming the offices and companies providing funds to groups deemed by Washington to be "terrorist."

Agents of the Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control, the U.S. Customs Service, the FBI, and the IRS descended on the offices of Al-Barakaat International Inc., Global Service International, Aaran Money Wire Service, Al-Barakaat Wiring Service and the Somali International Relief Organization. They sealed the offices and taped signs on the doors reading "blocked by Presidential order." One man detained by authorities was subsequently released.

Jamal reported that the agents took everything in the office, including all the computers, files, and desks. "They even confiscated the sandwiches in the refrigerator," he said. "There are other money transfer services that were not shut down but have not opened because of fear," Jamal said. The government has yet to produce any evidence that the businesses involved have violated any law.

The rally was organized by the Somali Justice Center and the North Country Coop, a food cooperative located in the building where one of the raids took place. The rally received prominent coverage on local television and in the press.

The crowd included many Somalis as well as many others. Jamal expressed the outrage of many at the violation of democratic rights by the government. "We were told that a person is considered innocent until proven guilty," he said, adding the protest "is about defending human rights. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere!"

The businesses that were shut down allow immigrant workers, mostly from Somalia and other parts of East Africa, to send money back home.

"Many Somalis work two jobs: one to support their life here, the other to send money home," said Halima Ali, a Somali woman who spoke to the rally. "All they [the U.S. government] send us in the camps is corn," explained Ali, referring to the refugee camps set up in the aftermath of the invasion of Somalia by the U.S. Pointing out that the working people in the camps are dependent on foreign remittances, Ali added, "Now what will they do, send us more corn?"

The need for solidarity in the face of these attacks was a theme reiterated by most of those who spoke. "We are all immigrants here today. What they do to Somalis today they will do to others tomorrow," said Polly Mann, former director of Women against Military Madness.

Mel Reeves, a local political activist got an enthusiastic response, especially from many of the Somalis in attendance, when he linked the attack on democratic rights to the U.S. war on Afghanistan and denounced the war as imperialist.

Jamal said that a forum is scheduled for November 15 and plans are being discussed for another protest rally.  
 
 
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