Rep. Ilhan Omar Deletes Juneteenth Post After Slavery Criticism Somalia

Rep. Ilhan Omar deleted a Juneteenth social media post that celebrated the end of slavery in the United States after being called out for the continued existence of slavery in her home country, Somalia. Omar's original post stated, "160 years ago on June 19, 1865, slavery ended in this country," but a commenter pointed out that Somalia still practices slavery, citing reports estimating nearly 100,000 enslaved people there. Following the criticism, Omar removed the post and replaced it with a new message that acknowledged the ongoing struggle for freedom without explicitly mentioning slavery. This incident sparked significant backlash on social media, with critics highlighting the contrast between Omar's condemnation of American racism and the human rights abuses in Somalia. Reports from the State Department and Walk Free Foundation confirm the prevalence of forced labor and trafficking in Somalia, underscoring the point raised by Omar's critics. Despite the controversy, Omar continues to advocate for racial justice in the U.S., including sponsoring reparations legislation.