'ISIS does not represent us' say St. Cloud's Somali Residents

St Cloud, Minnesota resident Lul Hersi speaks about the need for community unity in the face of the ISIS attack at her local mall.

'ISIS does not represent us' say St. Cloud's Somali Residents

St Cloud, Minnesota resident Lul Hersi feared for her son's safety on Saturday after hearing of the stabbing attack at the local Crossroads Mall. At a press conference, Sunday, the Somali-American woman, shared her feelings about the ISIS-linked attack.


"Let's unite as one Minnesota," she said, "Please let's spread love instead of hate."

She went on:

"ISIS does not represent us. It does not represent Islam. It does not represent Somalis. It does not represent anybody of that faith. ISIS is a different faith from Islam. ISIS has their own religion and they have their own beliefs. So please as Minnesotans and as St Cloud let's come together and let's be one."

Watch the CNN video of Hersi's speech below:

Abdirizaq Hassan sits at an outdoor table surrounded by colorful plastic chairs, gazing into the distance.
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