Bodegas Say They'll Boycott the New York Post Until the Paper Apologizes

Yemeni business leaders called upon the New York Post to apologize for a recent cover that suggested Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) had downplayed the World Trade Center attacks, and said they'd stop distributing the newspaper until that happens.

The boycott began Saturday and according to Dr. Debbie Almontaser, a community leader who cofounded the Yemeni American Merchants Association, "a few hundred stores" have so far stopped carrying the newspaper.  

The Merchants Association has also been distributing flyers, encouraging businesses in both Arabic and English to boycott the Post.

A flyer announcing the boycott against the New York Post

The boycott was announced after the paper ran a partial quote by Congresswoman Omar, which made it look like she'd downplayed the World Trade Center attacks.

Earlier this month a New York state resident was charged with making a death threat against Rep. Omar, who was elected to Congress last year.

Yemeni Americans own 4,000 to 5,000 bodegas across the five boroughs, according to the Yemeni American Merchants Association, and that potentially offers leverage in a battle over how Muslims are portrayed by the press.

Linda Sarsour, a Muslim American leader who has, like Rep. Omar, faced numerous threats, said the Post cover "is irresponsible, and it's negligent and it is what incites hate against our community."

The Yemeni American Merchants Association is also calling on the paper to fire its editor in chief, Stephen Lynch.

Calls to the offices of the Post were not answered Sunday.