The Colorado State Representative a native of Liberia Hon. Naquatta Ricks, expressed disappointment that Liberians are not seeking state power or supporting their Kingsman who often seek local government offices in the United States.
She references Liberians in Minnesota, who failed to support the elections of Winifred Russell as City Mayor of Brooklyn Park, and other Liberian natives who often contested for local government offices but lost to other nationals.
She said it is bad because they need someone at the forefront to champion their plights.
“Who governs matters, is that what we talking about in Liberia and here at the state level.”
Ricks went on to explain her story of how with help from Liberian immigrants in her state of Colorado, she was able to secure her current position with little campaign funding.
Serving as guest speaker at the Association of Liberian Journalists in the Americas, (ALJA) induction program over the weekend, the Colorado State Representative noted that there should be no reason with the huge population of Liberians in the State of Minnesota they cannot produce a representative at the City Council.
She boasted about the bills she has sponsored in her state, saying, no one else could have puffer such; naming the Immigration Defense fund bills.
“We have to use the power that is in our hands, that thing has been given to us. don’t take it for granted, please vote, wherever there are elections please vote, your votes matter, one vote matters.”
Also speaking briefly as he launched ALJA’s fundraising and induction program, Wynfred Russell, former City Councilman outlined how Liberians are mistreated as they have no one at the City Council to champion their plight.
“When you all didn’t vote for me and I did not go back their ,guest what happened? They took all the contracts from them, from the Liberian Business Association and the Liberian Pastor who had the violence prevention program.” Russel noted.
He said during his tenure as City Councilman, he lobbied and supported several laws to protect and support Liberians and other immigrants.
He made reference to a $13-million-dollar contract for the Liberian Business Association (LIBA) to run the Small Business Center in Brooklyn Park and another $1.2-million-dollar violence prevention program for another Liberian immigrant Pastor.
Winfred during the ceremony also announced his candidacy to represent his people in the Legislature representing district 38a.
According to him the district includes all parts of Brooklyn Park he represented why serving in the city council.
The Liberian immigrant said said there is a greater need to help improve his people’s plights. He wants Liberian immigrants to continue supporting each other like other communities.
Meanwhile, starting up the ALJA’s found drive, Former Honorary Consul General of Liberia, Jackson George, emphasized the need for Liberians to support each other.
Jackson runs multiple businesses in Minnesota and said Liberians are not supportive of Liberian businesses, including his own business.
He said a little over one percent of Liberians are supporting his liquid store in Brooklyn Park and his other businesses.
Jackson said, as a businessman he finds it difficult to support Liberian initiatives with profits he makes from other immigrant communities’ national purchases when Liberians themselves cannot support his business.
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