A Somali American woman who was shot and robbed in Minneapolis is speaking out against Vice President Kamala Harris, criticizing her support for the Minnesota Freedom Fund, which bailed out her assailant. Halima Farah, a 79-year-old who arrived in the U.S. in 2005 and became a citizen in 2011, experienced a traumatic event on January 2, 2021, when she was attacked outside her apartment.
Farah was shot and robbed of her rent money by De’Seanna Williams. She sustained severe injuries including bone fractures, hemorrhages, and lacerations. Williams was arrested, but was later released on bail thanks to the Minnesota Freedom Fund, a bail fund that Harris actively promoted during the George Floyd riots in 2020.
In a blog post on Medium in May 2020, then-Senator Harris urged individuals to contribute to the Minnesota Freedom Fund, highlighting its efforts in posting bail for arrested protesters. She continued to promote the fund in June 2020 as protests over the death of George Floyd spread nationwide. The Minnesota Freedom Fund has received significant donations, with a portion of the funds used to bail out individuals facing charges including murder, violent felonies, and sex crimes.
Farah, who communicates through a translator, expressed her concerns about Harris’s support for the fund, arguing that it raises questions about her suitability for higher office. She believes a president should not support measures that could lead to the release of violent criminals, highlighting the potential consequences of such policies.
Farah further asserted that Harris’s support for the fund has negatively impacted her safety and her life. The idea of the vice president backing bail for violent offenders deeply troubles her, prompting questions about Harris’s judgment and priorities while in office.
After being released on bail, Williams was later charged with a non-violent felony check forgery offense. She ultimately pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery and assault with a dangerous weapon, resulting in a prison sentence with an anticipated release date of April 2025. However, Farah feels she did not receive justice, accusing the Minnesota Freedom Fund of fostering criminal behavior and leaving victims without a sense of closure.
Farah also criticized Harris’s running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, for the rising crime rates in the state. She expressed a lack of safety in Minnesota, particularly following the George Floyd riots and the subsequent events under Walz’s leadership.
Data from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety reveals a concerning trend in murder rates during Walz’s governorship. In 2018, the year before Walz took office, Minnesota recorded 104 murders. This figure rose to 117 murders in 2019 and skyrocketed to 185 murders in 2020. The state continued to experience high murder rates in subsequent years, with 201 murders in 2021, 182 in 2022, and 172 in 2023.
These figures indicate a significant increase in murders compared to the average of approximately 113 murders per year from 2015 to 2018. The average under Walz’s five-year term as governor has risen to 171 murders per year.
Farah believes that former President Donald Trump takes a tougher stance on crime and criminals, and expressed a sense of relief and comfort at the prospect of him returning to the White House. She encourages those who love the country to avoid voting for Harris.
She hopes to meet with Trump or his running mate, JD Vance, before the election to share her anxieties and fears. The Harris-Walz campaign declined to comment on the matter.
