MN Somali Leaders Criticize Terror Groups

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Members of Minnesota's large Somali community are condemning the recruitment

of youth by terrorist groups and urging collaboration to address the problem.

About 100 people attended a town hall meeting Sunday to denounce groups such as the Islamic State and al-Shabab, which together have recruited more than two dozen fighters from Minnesota.

The Minneapolis-St. Paul area is part of a pilot program to combat terror recruiting in the U.S.

U.S. Attorney Andy Luger said Boston and Los Angeles are also part of the national pilot program. He told Sunday's crowd he would take their ideas to Washington to find ways to address the root causes of recruiting.

Meeting organizers have long-advocated for after-school programs and other activities to empower young people so they are less vulnerable to radical messages.