Opponents of the move say that 80 percent of Seattle’s Somali community shops at the three halal grocers, which are practically the only stores in the area selling meat prepared in conformity with Islamic law. A large majority of the shoppers at the three stores use food stamps.

The protesters, young and old, men and women, a majority from eastern Africa, held handmade signs that read: "USDA violates the civil rights of this community" and "Stop scapegoating immigrants."

Since being disqualified from accepting food stamps, store owners of Madina Mini Mart, Towfiq Halal Meat and Deli, and Maka Mini Mart in southeast Seattle report a precipitous drop in business.

This attack on the Somali community follows on the heels of an assault by Treasury Department agents last November who shut down three Somali-owned businesses in Seattle, including Maka Mini Mart and Al Barakaat, Somalia’s biggest money transfer company.

Rally speakers included the owner of the Towfiq Halal Meat and Deli, a group of Somali women referred to by other participants as "the mothers," Congressman James McDermott, State representative Sharon Tamiko Santos, and city council member Nicholas Lacata. All spoke in opposition to the USDA decision.  
 
 
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