A Minnesota politician who once spoke out against a violent incident targeting an ice cream shop has since fallen silent following the arsonist’s identification.
Minneapolis City Councilmember Jason Chavez had publicly condemned the act of aggression against Fletcher’s Ice Cream & Café, which occurred last October.
“It’s disheartening to learn about the attack on Fletcher’s Ice Cream & Café in Northeast Minneapolis, especially as it happened beneath a prominently displayed LGBTQIA+ flag,” Chavez expressed on social media at the time.
“During a period when marginalized communities face increased hostility, it’s crucial for our city to denounce such actions. We must emphasize our dedication to equality and the protection of our LGBTQIA+ neighbors,” he added.
Since the arsonist’s identity was disclosed, Chavez has not commented further on the incident.
The individual responsible, 31-year-old Firomsa Ahmed Umar, was recently convicted of arson with an added hate crime charge related to the firebombing.
According to federal court documents, Umar threw homemade destructive devices at Fletcher’s Ice Cream & Café on two different occasions, once on October 19 and again on October 20.
Surveillance footage showed a car registered to Umar at the scene during both attacks, and he was arrested on October 20 wearing a traditional Islamic robe, according to court documents.
Minneapolis City Councilmember Jason Chavez denounced the Molotov cocktail attack on Fletcher’s Ice Cream & Café in October
Chavez has not spoken on the matter in the months since after it was revealed the attacker who targeted the ice cream show for displaying a pride flag did so wearing a traditional Islamic robe
In each incident, he threw glass bottles filled with gasoline. One contained a mixture known as ‘improvised napalm,’ prosecutors said.
On October 19, ‘[Umar] lobbed his first Molotov Cocktail at Fletcher’s large front windows, which broke both panes of glass and ignited in a large blast of flame,’ the US Attorney’s office said.
‘[Umar] returned the next day, attempted to open the door, found it locked, and again threw a similar Molotov Cocktail at the façade.
‘Because the cloth wick inserted into the mixture fell from the bottle, the device failed to ignite, but did cause further damage to the window.’
Prosecutors said Umar chose Fletcher’s due to the prominent display of a Pride flag above the storefront, and had painted homophobic graffiti outside a local apartment complex four weeks earlier.
Umar’s sentencing hearing has not been scheduled. He faces a minimum of five years behind bars, but it could be extended due to the hate crime enhancer.
The Daily Mail contacted Chavez, who describes himself as the first LGBTQ+ Latinx to serve on city council, for comment.
Elected in 2021, Chavez campaigned on ‘equity, disability and LGBTQIA+ justice,’ according to his website.
Firomsa Ahmed Umar, 31, was convicted of arson with a hate crime enhancer for the firebombing
Prosecutors say Umar targeted the ice cream parlor twice for displaying a pride flag
Elected in 2021, Chavez, who describes himself as the first LGBTQ+ Latinx to serve on city council, has not spoken on the Fletcher’s bombing since the attack
Chavez said his neighborhood is ‘United by the pursuit of a better life amidst significant challenges like disinvestment, ICE raids, and scrutiny faced by East African and Muslim residents.’
However, Chavez’s silence on the Fletcher’s attack since it was revealed the arsonist may be Muslim has not gone unnoticed by critics online.
‘Chavez a total ghost- He must be busy updating his “hate crime” bingo card,’ one person wrote on X.
‘He’s got that melanin and Islamic forcefield. We can only be mad when evil whitey does the “homophobia,” a second person wrote.
A third person added, ‘While there is, in fact, an LGBT bias in the crime, it’s not the one he hoped for.’
