MINNEAPOLIS — "GET OVER IT," urged the posting on an online bulletin board, "you are in America act like an American!!"
The anger was directed at Somalian immigrants who have roiled this city by declaring certain jobs offensive to their Muslim faith. Many Somalian cabdrivers -- who dominate the airport taxi business -- refuse to transport passengers carrying alcohol. Some Somalian cashiers will not handle pork products; instead, they've begun asking customers to scan their own bacon.
To the immigrants, it's a question of religious freedom -- and protecting themselves from sin.
"This is not something we are choosing to do. It's part of our religion," said cabdriver King Osman, 37. "It's forbidden to carry drink. Forbidden!"
This attitude has outraged many longtime Minnesotans. The widespread response: This is America, and you're free to practice your faith. You're not free to inconvenience others because of those beliefs.
"If they don't want to do that work, they shouldn't be in that business," said Christine Benson, 58, who owns a knitting store in a largely Somalian neighborhood. "They can stuff it."
At least 40,000 Somalis have settled in Minnesota since the early 1990s, fleeing civil war in their East African homeland. The Twin Cities is home to the largest Somalian immigrant community in the nation.
Thousands live in an eclectic Minneapolis neighborhood known as the West Bank. Tucked next to the University of Minnesota, the community is a mix of tattooed punks, longhaired hippies and Somalian families, including women wearing full veils with just a slit for their eyes.
Marian Psihos runs a pharmacy here on Cedar Avenue. She gets her bleached-blond hair cut at the Muslim-owned beauty shop upstairs; she hands candy to the Somalian children who peek shyly in her store. But the idea of cabdrivers turning away passengers on Allah's command spikes her blood pressure.
"You can't come over to this country and think you're going to have it your own way," said Psihos, 72. "The whole world isn't going to change just because you're Muslim."
Jon Wohlwend, punching his code into the pharmacy's ATM, looked up, sharing her outrage.
"You call a cab, but he can't give you a ride," he started.
"Because you have alcohol on your breath," Psihos said, finishing his thought.
"I mean, that's why I need the ride!" said Wohlwend, 39. "Because I'm hammered!"
