![Minnesota Man Accused of Throwing Pig’s Foot at Somalis](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2016/01/farmers-market.jpg?w=630&h=420&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89&w=980&q=75)
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.
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