Fighting Terrorism, in Minneapolis

This city’s struggle with terrorism recruitment showed itself on two fronts Wednesday. In the morning, a Somali-American teenager admitted in court here that he had tried to flee the country and join the Islamic State. Hours later, federal prosecutors and some leaders among the region’s large Somali population announced about $1 million in funding for programs meant to combat just that type of radicalization.

 

“We are the solution. It has to come from us,” said Abdi Warsame, a Minneapolis City Council member of Somali descent. “Yes, we’re working with the Department of Justice. It’s our friend.”

Law enforcement officials and some Somali leaders said the new programs were a way to stop extremism long before an arrest became necessary. Big Brothers Big Sisters will start a mentoring project for young Somalis, grants will be awarded to community groups, and an education and work-force resources center will open in a neighborhood where many Somalis live.

But other Somali-Americans, fearing more indictments and wary of police surveillance, said they were skeptical of the government’s role in the projects.