(Minneapolis.  March 13,  2009 Ceegaag Online) 

At election time, the politicians come looking for votes. On Thursday, a group of Somali Americans went to the State Capitol in search of access to the winners.

"It's our way to exercise democracy and our freedom in this great country," said Abdifatah AbdSinur, director of New Faces of America, a nonprofit group in Rochester that works with new immigrants. He was among 150 Somali Americans at the day-long event sponsored by the Somali Action Alliance of Minneapolis. Much of the discussion with legislators focused on job creation, health care, higher education, after-school programs and legislation regarding headwear in driver's license photos. Meeting legislators allowed Somali community members to better understand that they have a voice in government, Adbinur said. "The system is not just working for only those people who are well connected. ... And that's how you know you have a beautiful and great democracy," he said.

Rep. Larry Haws, DFL-St. Cloud, gave the group a view of democracy from the perspective of gardening. "My family and I have a garden -- a farmer's market garden," he said. "The variety in it is what gives it its strength." Likewise for democracy, he said. "There is strength in diversity, and we should be doing things that are inclusive rather than exclusive."

MARY LYNN SMITH

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