Letter to Eric Holder from Representative Keith Ellison

September 24, 2013

The Honorable Eric Holder
Attorney General
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington DC 20530-0001

Dear Attorney General Holder:

As the Congressman representing the Fifth Congressional District of Minnesota, I am writing to request a status update about the FBI raids and subpoenas of a group of peace activists in Minnesota, Illinois, and Michigan that occurred on September 24, 2010.

The raids targeted 9 constituents of mine, who were subsequently subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury. My constituents inform me that the search warrants alleged that they were involved with “providing material support for terrorism.” My constituents state that because no charges were ever leveled against them, it gives the appearance that the raids were used to quell free speech. They tell me that the ongoing case feels like a cloud hanging over them.

Today marks the three-year anniversary of these raids. I would appreciate receiving any additional information regarding the status of this matter. If the case is not rapidly approaching a resolution, I request that the Department of Justice drop it. I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

KEITH ELLISON
Member of Congress