HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 018-26 - Resolution - In Support of the Somali Community and Commitment to Inclusion
RESOLUTION
Reaffirming Rochester’s Support for its Somali Community and Commitment to
Inclusion.
WHEREAS, the City of Rochester is committed to being a community where all residents
feel a sense of belonging, and to recognizing the diversity of its community members,
listening to all voices, and providing equitable services to create an inclusive place to live,
work, and engage, as reflected in the City’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement;
and
WHEREAS, the City of Rochester is home to a significant and growing population of
residents of Somali descent, estimated to be just under 4,000 (according to the 2020 US
census); and
WHEREAS, a substantial majority of these residents are United States citizens, legal
residents and long-term community members who have established families, businesses,
and careers in Rochester; and
WHEREAS, members of Rochester’s Somali community contribute meaningfully to the
local economy, workforce, civic life, schools, and cultural vitality, serving in a wide range
of professions and roles; and
WHEREAS, Rochester’s strength as a community is rooted in the contributions of people
from diverse backgrounds who share a commitment to building safe, welcoming, and
prosperous neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, recent public discourse at the national level regarding immigration and
immigrant communities has undermined community trust and safety among some
Rochester residents, including members of the Somali community; and
WHEREAS, language that questions the belonging or value of any group of people can
contribute to misunderstanding, division, and fear, and is inconsistent with Rochester’s
longstanding values of respect and inclusion; and
WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes its responsibility to promote public safety, foster
community trust, and affirm the dignity of all residents;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Rochester that:
1. The City of Rochester reaffirms its commitment to being a welcoming and inclusive
community for residents of all backgrounds, including members of the Somali
community.
2. The City Council expresses its appreciation for the many ways in which Somali
residents, families, and business owners contribute to the social, cultural, and
economic well-being of Rochester.
3. The City of Rochester remains committed to enforcing non-discrimination laws and
working collaboratively with community leaders to ensure that all residents feel
safe, respected, and supported in their homes, workplaces, places of worship, and
throughout the community.
4. The City Council encourages all residents to engage with one another respectfully,
to seek understanding across differences, and to reject actions or language that
undermine community cohesion.
5. The City Clerk is directed to provide copies of this resolution to applicable
community organizations, Minnesota State Representatives and Senators, and the
Minnesota Congressional Delegation.
PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA, THIS __________ DAY OF _______________, 2026.
___________________________________
PRESIDENT OF SAID COMMON COUNCIL
ATTEST: __________________________
CITY CLERK
APPROVED THIS _____ DAY OF ______________________, 2026.
__________________________________
MAYOR OF SAID CITY
(Seal of the City of
Rochester, Minnesota)