Attorney General Ellison Files Lawsuit to Bar Somali Gangs from State Fair

Attorney General Keith Ellison, together with Ramsey County Attorney Choi, submitted a lawsuit seeking a court order to prevent identified Somali gang members from entering the Minnesota State Fair grounds. Their complaint cites data linking 12 Somali youth gangs to 14 homicides and over 100 shootings in a two-year span, and requests that a judge bar ten individuals named by Sheriff Fletcher's office. In response to the perceived threat, the sheriff's department mailed 233 warning letters to people it believes may be involved.

Opponents argue that treating gang leaders as diplomatic counterparts undermines consistent law enforcement. The fair, which attracts more than two million visitors over 12 days, is a high-profile venue where officials aim to avoid any outbreak of violence. The move has sparked debate over the balance between public safety measures and community relations.