Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Minnesota News
Estelle Timar-Wilcox

Lino Lakes City Council votes to censure member over praise for anti-Muslim email

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

The Lino Lakes City Council voted Monday to censure one of its members after he praised an anti-Muslim email. 

According to the censure resolution, Council member Chris Lyden received an email in early August from a member of the public containing “derogatory comments about the Muslim faith.” 

Lyden responded from his city email account,  “Might be the best email I have ever received! Thank you Sir!”

The council voted 3 to 1 on Monday to censure Lyden. The resolution called his email inappropriate, and noted it “could be interpreted by some as endorsing the views and opinions expressed in the email.” 

Mayor Rob Rafferty said the comments were inappropriate coming from a city official’s email.

“That’s not a reflection of how the rest of the council is trying to address — or better yet, it’s not how the city is trying to address — some things,” Rafferty said.

Lyden defended his response. He said he had not expressed support for any specific claims in the email he received, but was praising the composition of the message.

“‘Best email’ only refers to the form of the email,” Lyden said. “Rare do I ever receive an email in which the author states a premise and then actively supports that premise with 10-plus facts.”

The email exchange was related to a Muslim-oriented housing development, which drew backlash from some residents and support from local Muslim leaders. The project is on hold after the council passed a one-year moratorium over the summer.

Representatives of Minnesota’s chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations said they also received the initial email, which they called Islamophobic and painful.

Jaylani Hussein, executive director of CAIR-MN, addressed Lyden and fellow council members during the meeting’s public comment period.

“You need to resign. The rest of you need to hold him accountable,” Hussein said.

Rafferty and Council members Tony Cavegn and Dale Stoesz voted for the censure resolution. Council Member Michael Ruhland voted against it. Lyden did not vote on the measure.