A small Vermont school district became the unlikely center of a national controversy when it raised the Somali flag alongside the American and Vermont state flags for an entire week in December.
The Winooski School District, serving a community of roughly 8,000 people, made the gesture in direct response to disparaging remarks made about Somali immigrants. The decision ignited a firestorm of reaction, drawing a swift response from the White House.
Winooski’s demographic landscape has dramatically shifted since 2003, becoming home to a significant Somali population through U.S. government resettlement programs. These programs aimed to provide refuge, but critics argue they often lacked sufficient focus on integration into existing communities.
The flag raising wasn’t simply a symbolic act; it was accompanied by a community event featuring catered Somali cuisine. Superintendent Wilmer Chavarria, who authorized the display without school board approval, described it as a celebration of diversity and a stand for civil rights.
Chavarria, himself an immigrant from Nicaragua, framed the event as a necessary “moment of normalcy” amidst what he characterized as a rising tide of national racism. He expressed dismay at the backlash that followed, labeling those who opposed the flag raising as “deplorable.”
The district was immediately inundated with a wave of angry calls, voicemails, and online attacks targeting staff and students. School phone lines and the district website were temporarily shut down to protect personnel from the harassment.
Accounts of the event circulating online often omitted the presence of the American and Vermont flags, fueling further outrage and misrepresentation. The superintendent reported the attacks were “extremely, extremely deplorable,” leaving the community overwhelmed.
Mukhtar Abdullahi, a multilingual liaison for Somali-speaking families within the district, powerfully defended the community, stating that “no one, no human being…is garbage.” He revealed that students had expressed fears for the safety of their immigrant parents.
Despite the turmoil, Abdullahi expressed unwavering gratitude for the strength of the community, emphasizing its resilience in the face of adversity. He affirmed a belief in their collective ability to weather the storm.
The White House responded with a firm statement, asserting that those who come to the country, express negativity towards America, and fail to contribute should not be welcomed. The spokesperson emphasized that American schools should prioritize flying the American flag.
