Record number of voters from BiH in Missouri will vote on the elections in November, and the two candidates are having equivalent battle in this country, as reported by the Guardian.
In St. Louis lives between 50 and 70 thousands of Bosnian Muslims who were affected by Trump’s anti-Muslim campaign and who are very cautious when it comes to candidates who are supported by Serbian nationalists, and who could also have a decisive influence on the selection of a new president of the United States.
Mirhada Jasarevic went to the United States as a child in the early 90’s with her family and became a naturalized American this year, just in time to vote in the presidential elections.
“These are the most important elections ever. I came here the same way as refugees from Syria are coming now. There was no intent to harm anyone, we just wanted a new chance for a normal life and that is what makes America shiny. This is something that Donald Trump does not understand,” she said for Guardian.
“Bosnian vote” could cost Trump 10 electoral votes.
“Many people have registered and they will vote. I think that the Bosnian community will really make a difference,” said Nedim Ramic, a lawyer in St. Louis.
Since it is not necessary to give information about religious nor ethnic origin during registration for voting in the United States, there is no data on the number of registered Muslims in St. Louis.
“I expect higher turnout than in the past. These elections are important, especially for the Bosnian Americans. We have seen what hate speech can do and older people are scared, because it reminds them on the war in Bosnia,” said Ibro Tucakovic, who came in St. Louis from Sarajevo in 1998.
St. Louis is home to the largest community of Bosnians outside BiH, and this community was formed during the refugee crisis in the 90’s. Historically, this town was predominantly Republican, and Republican candidate John McCain even won here in 2008.
In recent years, Bosnians proved to be a powerful force in local politics, and politicians, especially Democrats, noticed this, especially after the demonstrations that followed after assassination of Zemir Begic, a Bosnian who was visiting family of his future wife.
Bosnians in St. Louis are in high positions in the mayor’s office and, according to Ramic, they revived the entire community.
(Source: klix.ba)
