Minnesota think tank VP suspended over comments to New York Times about Somali refugees

Think tank VP apologizes for remarks to New York Times about St. Cloud.

June 22, 2019 at 3:01PM
Kim Crockett, Vice President and General Counsel at Center of the American Experiment, spoke during a press conference on the Supreme Court ruling on labor unions, in which Crockett extolled the ruling Thursday, June 27, 2018, at the State Capitol in St. Paul, MN. "After forty-one long years of second-class citizenship, the First Amendment rights of teachers and other public employees have been restored," Crockett said.
Kim Crockett, vice president and general counsel at Center of the American Experiment, shown in 2018 at a Minnesota State Capitol news conference. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Kim Crockett, vice president of a Minnesota think tank, has been placed on an unpaid 30-day disciplinary suspension for comments she made about Somali-Americans in a recent New York Times story examining the resistance to refugee resettlement in St. Cloud.

The article, published Thursday under the headline " 'These People Aren't Coming From Norway': Refugees in a Minnesota City Face a Backlash," quoted several anti-immigration activists who are advocating for an increasingly explicit anti-Muslim agenda. Sources sounded off on their fears that the influx of Somali immigrants to the predominantly white region is fundamentally changing the culture.

Crockett, of the Center of the American Experiment, told the reporter that she plans to challenge the resettlement program in court.

"I think of America, the great assimilator, as a rubber band, but with this — we're at the breaking point," she was quoted as saying. "These aren't people coming from Norway, let's put it that way. These people are very visible."

The remarks were widely criticized as Islamophobic.

On Thursday, the center issued a statement condemning Crockett's controversial comments.

"Center of the American Experiment welcomes all those who immigrate to Minnesota legally, including Somali refugees," wrote John Hinderaker, president of the Twin Cities-based think tank. "The recent comment one of our employees made to the New York Times does not reflect the views and values of our organization. We envision a Minnesota where everyone is free to reap the rewards of their own efforts and build meaningful lives for their families."

Crockett has apologized for her comments, saying that they don't reflect the views of her employer — or herself.

"I regret the embarrassment to my colleagues who work so diligently to make our state a better place to live and work for all Minnesotans," she said on social media. "I've always advocated taking personal responsibility for one's actions and will strive to rebuild the relationships and trust that I have damaged."

Liz Sawyer • 612-673-4648

Kim Crockett
Crockett (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
about the writer

about the writer

Liz Sawyer

Reporter

Liz Sawyer  covers Minneapolis crime and policing at the Star Tribune. Since joining the newspaper in 2014, she has reported extensively on Minnesota law enforcement, state prisons and the youth justice system. 

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