Minnesota Congressman and Muslim Politician Keith Ellison to Speak at Carleton College
Keith Ellison, the first Muslim elected to a seat in the United States Congress as Representative of the 5th Congressional District of Minnesota, will speak at Carleton College on Friday, February 12 at 4 p.m. in the Severance Great Hall. Rooted in community activism and civil rights, Ellison has served as a strong Democratic voice in opposition of troop increases in Iraq, providing aid to victims of genocide in Darfur, championing stem cell research and health care reform, and raising the minimum wage. After his presentation, Ellison will lead a follow-up question session and reception. This event is free and open to the public.
Ellison stands as the first Muslim elected to the Federal Government, an event that continues to inspire American Muslims, and promote civic empowerment through participation in government and politics. Since his 2006 election, Ellison has served as a dynamic advocate for Islamic causes on a national level. In addition, Ellison serves on the Financial Services Committee and Foreign Affairs Committee, with concentration on wages and housing for “relief and justice for the middle class” and diplomatic affairs. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi recently appointed him to the Judiciary Committee to pursue American civil liberties regarding policing efforts, immigration, property rights, and privacy concerns.
After graduating from the Wayne State University in Detroit in 1987 with a BA in economics, Ellison moved to Minneapolis to attend the University of Minnesota School of Law. During law school, he wrote several articles in support of the Nation of Islam, which sparked major controversy in his 2006 election campaign. Following graduation, Ellison worked as a litigator in civil rights, employment, and criminal defense law, before he served as executive director of the nonprofit Legal Rights Center in Minneapolis. Ellison was elected to public office to serve in the Minnesota State House of Representatives from 2003-2007, before he commenced his congressional career in 2006.
The Severance Great Hall is located in the Sayles-Hill Campus Center, located off College Street on the Carleton College Campus. For more information regarding Ellison’s appearance at Carleton, please contact Sandy Saari of the Department of Religion at (507) 222-4232.
