Ward, Local Leaders Condemn Harassment and Hate Targeting Somali Childcare Providers

San Diego Delegation Condemns Harassment of Local Childcare Providers

• Rachel Granadino
• District Director
• (619) 280-7801
• [email protected]

SAN DIEGO, CA - Assemblymember Chris Ward (D-San Diego), joined by several local elected leaders, today condemned the harassment and intimidation of Somali childcare providers following reports that right-wing influencer Nick Shirley has been visiting providers' homes, filming without consent, and spreading baseless and discredited allegations of fraud.

Shirley, whose claims targeting childcare providers in Minneapolis were widely debunked, has allegedly posed as a parent seeking childcare to gain access to providers' homes and licensed facilities. Reports indicate children were present during some visits and that providers were subjected to inappropriate and Islamophobic remarks.

"The presence of Nick Shirley in San Diego and the targeted harassment of Somali childcare providers is repugnant and a disgrace," said Assemblymember Ward. "He continues to spew lies that were already debunked in Minneapolis, and his actions strike fear in providers, families, and children who are simply trying to do their jobs and care for our communities."

Advocates and labor representatives report the harassment has escalated since early January, following the online amplification of false allegations and the public sharing of providers' personal information. Providers have reported threatening calls and messages, surveillance of their homes, and individuals attempting to gain access by posing as parents.

"This is not accountability - it is intimidation," Ward continued. "Filming providers without consent, showing up at their homes, and making Islamophobic remarks puts families and children at real risk. This kind of rhetoric is extremely dangerous and has no place in San Diego or anywhere in California."

United Domestic Workers-AFSCME Local 3930, which represents thousands of childcare providers across California, has raised serious concerns about the safety of its members and called for an immediate end to harassment and hate-driven conduct targeting providers who perform essential work for families.

State leaders from across the San Diego region echoed these concerns, condemning the intimidation of childcare providers and warning that this dangerous rhetoric puts families and children at risk.

"We cannot tolerate the targeting of children or the harassment of childcare providers based on reckless, unfounded claims of fraud in California," said Senator Akilah Weber Pierson, M.D. (D-San Diego). "This kind of extreme propaganda disrupts the health and safety of children, their families, and the childcare providers our communities rely on. Putting children at risk for political gain is unacceptable and dangerous. We are better than this, and we will always stand up for our children, our families, and the caregivers who are simply doing their jobs with integrity and care."

"What Nick Shirley is doing is adding fuel to places where no fire exists. It is not real reporting. It is misinformation," stated Assemblymember Tasha Boerner (D-Encinitas). "Our childcare providers are an essential part of our community and help us raise our kids. As a true San Diegan, like my colleagues, I will stand up for what is right. I am going to stand up for my community and for our providers, and for our families who rely on them. Hate has no place in San Diego."

"These inauthentic attacks on childcare providers and immigrant communities are as pathetic as they are dangerous," said Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego). "We must call out these stunts for what they are - a new way for bigots to harass communities of color. These phony influencers are invading the privacy of families and spaces designed to be safe for children, eroding safety in our community, all for a sensational and false video. Childcare workers protect what is most precious to us, our children - and these cheap stunts by right wing extremists are only a distraction from the sick reality of this administration cutting billions from programs like temporary assistance to families in need and the Childcare and Development Fund, while giving massive tax breaks to billionaires."

"The reports of harassment and intimidation of childcare providers in San Diego by Nick Shirley are alarming," said Senator Catherine S. Blakespear (D-Encinitas). "We've seen this movie before in Minnesota - with right-wing provocateurs fabricating claims of fraud to fuel hatred, racism and xenophobia. We must not allow it in California."

Ward said he, along with the San Diego delegation of state elected officials, stands in solidarity with Somali childcare providers, United Domestic Workers-AFSCME Local 3930, and community advocates, and called for an immediate end to harassment, surveillance, and hate-fueled conduct targeting providers across the region.