Keith Maurice Ellison is an American Democrat politician, who represented the Minnesota's 5th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives, becoming the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Congress and the highest Muslim elected official in the United States at the time of his election.
Born August 4th, 1963 in Detroit, Michigan, Ellison moved to Minneapolis in 1987, becoming a lawyer and community activist. He was elected as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, serving House District 58B from 2003-2007. After his terms as a U.S. Congressman from 2007 to 2019, Ellison was chosen by Minnesota Governor Walz to become the state’s Attorney General.
February 17, 1989 - MPR’s Euan Kerr reports on police brutality protest, held in response to recent incident where an elderly couple was killed in a fire set off by the officers' use of a "flash bang" grenade. Report includes excerpt of Keith Ellison speech at the protest.
March 6, 1989 - MPR’s Kate Smith reports on a controversy over recent Minneapolis city council meeting where undercover officers were present. Report includes excerpt of Keith Ellison speaking at meeting. Also contains comments from John Laux, Minneapolis Police chief and North Minneapolis resident Cozelle Breedlove.
April 30, 1992 - MPR’s Bill Catlin reports from Coalition for Police Accountability rally at Hennepin County Government Center protesting Rodney King trial acquittals. Catlin recounts moments from event and notes it’s peaceful outcome. Particpants included Keith Ellison, Spike Moss, Vernon Bellecourt, and Marv Davidov.
April 30, 1992 - MPR’s Bill Catlin reports on Coalition for Police Accountability rally at Hennepin County Government Center protesting Rodney King trial acquittals. Highlights speeches at event from Keith Ellison, Spike Moss, and Priscilla Barnes. Also includes statement from John Laux, Minneapolis Police Chief.
April 30, 1992 - MPR’s Bill Catlin reports live from Coalition for Police Accountability rally at Hennepin County Government Center protesting Rodney King trial acquittals.
December 23, 1992 - MPR’s Tom Fudge reports on the Minneapolis Police Federation. Report contains comments about organization from Keith Ellison, member of Coalition for Police Accountability; Al Berryman, Minneapolis Police Federation president; Don Fraser, Mayor of Minneapolis; and a few Minneapolis police officers.
January 1, 1993 - MPR’s Bill Wareham reports on police and community relations after recent Rodney King beating and murder of Minneapolis police officer Jerry Haaf. Keith Ellison, rally community leader; Sharif Willis, leader of United for Peace; Dave Dobrotka, Minneapolis Police Deputy Chief; John Laux, Minneapolis Police Chief; Gary Sudduth, director of Minneapolis Urban League; and Matthew Ramadan, executive director of Northside Residents Redevelopment Council, are highlighted.
December 14, 1993 - MPR’s Euan Kerr reports on efforts to improve livability in Seward neighborhood. Kerr interviews Curt Milburn, local community organizer; Sgt. Clay Pecore, 5th Precinct Minneapolis police officer; Keith Ellison, executive director of Legal Rights Center; Robin McGhee, Associate Professor of Law at Hamline University; and Kevin Burke, Chief Justice at Hennepin Court. They comment on the struggles in fighting crime while a problematic race relationship with local police, public complicity, and an overwhelmed court system is in place.
December 15, 1993 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer hosts this live panel #2 discussion from 5th Precinct, Minneapolis: William Finney, St. Paul Police Chief; Keith Ellison, director of Legal Rights Center; and Sgt. Don Banham of the Minneapolis Police Department, discuss police and minority relations.
December 15, 1993 - MPR’s Mary Losure reports trunk transport incident and creation of Civilian Police Review Authority (CRA). Segment includes numerous interviews.