FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Kayla Blado 240-489-1803, kayla.blado@hailstonecommunications.com
February 3, 2026
Sacramento, Cal. — In response to an uptick in harassment of Somali child care providers by right-wing extremists spreading hate and fear among San Diego’s Somali community, United Domestic Workers (UDW/AFSCME Local 3930) Executive Director Doug Moore issued the following statement:
“For over a month, Somali childcare providers have endured harassment by internet vigilantes who are dead set on exposing fraud in California’s highly regulated government child care system. In the process, they are stalking and intimidating our members at their homes and places of business. These provocateurs are sowing seeds of hatred and distrust of our neighbors after taking cues from the president who referred to Somalians as ‘garbage.’ We treasure our Somali members and their contributions to our families, our union, and our communities.”
Johanna Hester, UDW Deputy Executive Director and Co-Chair of Child Care Providers United (CCPU) said:
“Instead of solving issues of affordability for working families, politicians have attempted to divide working people against one another. This is a distraction from the many legitimate issues facing our country. But we won’t be divided by hatred. Our Somalian members are hardworking pillars of our communities who provide reliable care for working families. We call on elected officials to treat Somali families with the respect they deserve and do everything in their power to protect and defend them against these attacks.”
San Diego is home to the country’s second largest Somali community, after the Twin Cities. UDW represents more than 5,600 family child care providers in San Diego County. UDW previously released a statement and held a press conference in support of Somali childcare workers.
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UDW represents more than 220,000 dedicated home care and family child care providers across California. Our members are the backbone of care for seniors, children, people with disabilities, and working families—fighting for fair wages, better working conditions, and policies that strengthen our communities.