OAN Staff Brooke Mallory
2:19 PM – Thursday, January 29, 2025
A 23-year-old Somali-American woman who gained widespread attention for her now-viral remarks comparing her dual identity to “bananas and rice” has been arrested in connection with recent protests in Minneapolis.
Nasra Ahmed, 23, was among at least 16 individuals charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding federal law enforcement officers during violent protests against U.S. immigration enforcement operations.
Ahmed’s arrest comes amid heightened tensions in the state, where federal authorities have been forced to intensify efforts to curb ongoing riots stemming from immigration-related clashes.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the arrests on Wednesday, emphasizing the Department of Justice’s commitment to protecting federal agents.
23-year-old Ahmed first captured national headlines on January 21st during a press conference where she attempted to break down her unique experiences as a Somali-American in detail.
However, while describing the “blend of her cultural identities,” she appeared to have a moment of confusion and inarticulation, saying: “It’s kind of like bananas and rice… People don’t think you can eat bananas with rice, but that’s what it’s like to be Somali and American.”
A few seconds later, she, again, attempted to elaborate, saying: “Being Somali is more than just eating bananas & rice, it’s a lot, it’s interesting, it’s kind of like, bananas & rice. You can eat bananas and rice.”
The dull yet unintentionally humorous metaphor quickly went viral on social media, sparking discussions about cultural integration and identity in immigrant communities from third world countries.
Online users were quick to point out that the World Population Review states the average IQ in Somalia is 67.67. This score falls within the range historically labeled as a “mild intellectual disability,” a term formerly referred to as “mild mental retardation” in traditional diagnostic manuals.
Ahmed’s now-viral January 21st press conference also followed her detention by federal agents on January 14th, during which she claimed that she was subjected to both racism and excessive force.
“They pushed me hard, they used a lot of violence, my body still hurts, I got a concussion,” Ahmed said at the time, also alleging that agents used racial slurs against her.
The recent wave of unrest in Minneapolis was driven in part by protests following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37‑year‑old ICU nurse, who was shot and killed by federal immigration agents on January 24th during heightened enforcement actions in the city. Pretti was also involved in a confrontation with federal immigration agents at another protest before the January 24th shooting, with videos showing him in a forceful scuffle with officers on January 13th.
The recent incidents have intensified the civil unrest, as protesters accuse federal authorities of heavy-handed tactics and overreach during enforcement actions. Locals have expressed fury that the operations have specifically targeted illegal aliens — including members of the Somali community — who are currently under scrutiny for systemic fraud within state social programs. These tensions have culminated in persistent, violent confrontations between protesters and law enforcement.
Ahmed was taken into custody on Wednesday alongside 15 others: Christina Rank, Abdikadir Noor, Madeline Tschida, Nitzana Flores, Helicity Borowska, Quentin Williams, William Vermie, Paul Johnson, Gillian Etherington, Joshua Doyle, Kirubele Adbebe, Margaret Sager, Ilan Wilson-Soler, Alice Valentine, and Matrim Charlebois. The charges fall under 18 U.S. Code § 111, a federal statute that criminalizes assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers while they perform official duties.
Bondi personally oversaw the operation, stating she was “on the ground in Minneapolis” during the arrests. The Justice Department (DOJ) released photos and names of the accused, signaling a broader crackdown with more detentions anticipated.
Specific allegations against Ahmed have not been detailed publicly, but the charges stem from her involvement in the protests following Pretti’s death.
Critics of the federal response still argue that the protests are largely peaceful demonstrations against perceived injustices, while supporters of the crackdown view the actions as necessary to maintain law and order during enforcement.
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