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Minneapolis Apartment Complex Votes Against Filming HBO Show In Building

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The production of a controversial HBO show in a Minneapolis apartment building will not be moving forward as planned, following a vote from the building's resident council.

The show, titled "Mogadishu, Minnesota," is described a "family drama" grappling with what it means to be American among the Somali community in Minnesota.

Producers hoped to film part of the show at the Cedar High Apartment complex at 1627 6th Street, which is owned by the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA). The MPHA Board of Commissioners, after hearing from producers and community members on the planned production, approved the plan to film at the location, given the building's resident council approved the plan as well.

On Wednesday afternoon, that resident council unanimously voted by secret ballot against allowing HBO crews to film in the building.

The local Somali community has been divided on the show, and whether to film it in Minneapolis. Some in the community say it would reinforce negative stereotypes about terrorism among Somalis in Minnesota. Others say the show -- written and directed by Somali-Canadian rapper K'naan -- could tell a more complex story about the community.

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