A Rochester mayoral candidate is facing allegations that he shoved two women during a confrontation at a housing program for single mothers and their children — allegations he strongly denies, claiming it was he and his campaign workers who were assaulted.
The Aug. 8 incident involved Ayub HajiOmar, a candidate for Rochester mayor, his campaign volunteers, and female residents of Jeremiah Program’s Rochester campus.
The competing accounts emerged over the weekend after Maria Chavez, who appears to be a resident, described the encounter in a public Facebook post. HajiOmar then responded with a statement of his own, calling the allegations false and saying he has evidence that refutes them.
Jeremiah Program, a national nonprofit that provides housing and other services to single mothers and their children, confirmed to Alpha News that HajiOmar arrived at the building with four male campaign volunteers and that the organization’s visitor requirements were communicated to the group.
The organization said its executive director told HajiOmar that all visitors must be accompanied and confirmed that HajiOmar and his volunteers were asked to leave.
Law enforcement was also contacted, according to Jeremiah Program.
“Jeremiah Program is aware of the incident referenced above and is working with the appropriate authorities and our leadership. We remain focused and committed to the safety of our single moms and their children — both on and off all of our campuses,” the organization said in a statement to Alpha News.
Resident says HajiOmar forced his way into building
Chavez said she and her friends were preparing to leave for the day when a group of men approached the main entrance.
“As my friend was exiting the building, mayoral candidate Ayub HajiOmar forced himself into the building shoving my friend out of the way, despite being told that he could not enter the building unattended,” Chavez alleged.
According to Chavez, Jeremiah Program requires guests to be accompanied by the person they are visiting, and residents are instructed to contact law enforcement when unknown individuals are inside the building.
She said HajiOmar continued through the building with several young men despite being told he could not enter unattended.
“My friend immediately contacted law enforcement, while I went back inside because I wanted to make sure they left the premises,” Chavez wrote.
Chavez alleged that she then encountered HajiOmar in an elevator and was shoved.
“While I was in the elevator with HajiOmar, I was shoved against the elevator wall because he’s very visibly upset that I’m telling him to exit the building,” she wrote.
Chavez said she was particularly disturbed by the encounter because Jeremiah Program is intended to provide a safe environment for women and children, some of whom have experienced traumatic circumstances.
Chavez also said Jeremiah Program’s executive director attempted to speak with HajiOmar and explain the facility’s security policies but alleged he was “rude and dismissive.”
As HajiOmar and the group were leaving, Chavez said she heard some of the young men, whom she estimated to be 16 or 17, say, “We shouldn’t have come here. These bitches are crazy.”
Chavez ended her post by urging Rochester residents to consider the encounter when voting.
“Know who you are voting for. Know how the people seeking to represent our community treat the people and spaces within it,” she wrote.
HajiOmar denies allegations, says he was slapped
HajiOmar issued multiple statements on social media offering a starkly different account.
“Yesterday, false allegations were posted regarding an interaction involving my volunteers and I at the Jeremiah Program,” HajiOmar said. “I unequivocally deny that I assaulted, shoved, or harmed anyone, and I reject the claim that my volunteers used profanity or behaved in the manner described.”
HajiOmar instead alleged that he and members of his campaign were the victims of physical violence.
“In fact, I was physically confronted and slapped multiple times, and minor volunteers with my campaign as young as 13, were also physically assaulted during the incident,” he said.
HajiOmar said he began recording after the situation escalated and left the property with his team.
“I have contacted the Rochester Police Department regarding the incident and have evidence documenting what occurred and refuting all of their claims,” he said.
HajiOmar also said a close family member lives at Jeremiah Program and that he has previously worked with families involved with the organization, including tutoring children and teaching swim safety.
“Nothing about this incident changes my respect for that important work,” he said.
HajiOmar also pointed to the timing of the allegations, which surfaced just days before Rochester’s Aug. 11 municipal primary. Multiple other candidates in the race have spoken out on the allegations.
“With Election Day just days away, I understand the seriousness of accusations like these,” he said. “I simply ask that people not rush to judgment based on allegations posted on social media. The facts and evidence should determine what occurred.”
Alpha News contacted HajiOmar for additional comment and requested the evidence he said documents the encounter but did not receive a response.
However, HajiOmar released a second statement saying he has “decided not to pursue criminal charges at this time.”
“I understand that those involved have not requested to speak with law enforcement regarding the incident or to provide their account directly,” he alleged. “I also want to be clear that the allegations of wrongdoing made against me, or my volunteers have not been substantiated, consisted with the information provided by the Rochester Police Department.”
The Rochester Police Department told KTTC: “On August 8, Dispatch received a report that a group of people entered a secure building at the Jeremiah Program. RPD contacted the involved parties, and no further investigation or legal action is taking place at this time.”
Jenna Gloeb
Jenna Gloeb is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, media producer, public speaker, and screenwriter. Most recently, she worked as a reporter and on-air host for CCX Media. Jenna is a Minnesota native and resides in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, daughter, and two dogs.
