ST. PAUL, Minn. (KFGO/WCCO) – Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and Ramsey County Attorney John Choi have just announced that they have secured agreements and injunctions that will prevent two rival gangs from attending this year’s State Fair.
The Minnesota State Fair opens a week from Thursday and a judge just ruled in favor of Ellison and Choi who filed the lawsuits in an effort to prevent members of two rival gangs from taking part in a fight that was threatened on social media.
“Criminal law is a tool we use as a society hold individuals accountable after they have committed criminal offenses. Civil law is a tool we can and should use to help prevent crimes before they happen, and that’s what we’ve done here,” Attorney General Ellison said. “When we learned of threats of violence that could endanger everyone at the State Fair, County Attorney Choi and I chose to step in and use the power of our offices and the tools of civil law at our disposal now to protect our beloved State Fair and everyone who attends it.”
Prosecutors argued they have been violent before at the fair, and recently posted they were planning a “big fight” on August 29.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, Ramsey County Attorney John Choi, and Minnesota State Fair Police Chief Ron Knafla are holding a media availability to discuss the agreements and court injunctions to discuss the ruling later Thursday afternoon.
“I’m proud that we’ve accomplished that here and I am grateful for the Court’s order,” Ellison continued. “I often say my job as Attorney General is to help people afford their lives and live with dignity, safety, and respect. Today we are showing that safety and dignity go together.”
Ellison says there are people behind the scenes still working on preventing violence from breaking out at the state’s largest gathering.
“There’s a group of clergy people, who are engaging these young people now,” Ellison adds. “There are folks who are community leaders talking to them now saying that this is intolerable and not OK, based on community values and standards.”
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