Minnesota Man Accused of Throwing Pig’s Foot at Somalis

WILLMAR, Minn. (AP) _ Authorities allege a Minnesota man threw a pig's foot at
Somalis at a farmers market.

Sixty-one-year-old Joe Fernkes of Willmar is charged with misdemeanor
disorderly conduct. He's due in court Aug. 30.

The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations wants
Fernkes to be charged with a hate crime. The advocacy group notes that Muslims
are prohibited from eating pork and that ``bigots often use pigs or pork to
offend Muslim sensibilities.''

Fernkes says he set the frozen pig's foot down on the table at a Willmar market on Saturday and ``didn't say one word.''

He says Somalis are ``taking over the whole ... town,'' but that he ``shouldn't
have done'' it.

Police located Fernkes at his home and gave him a citation.