Minnesota Civil Liberties Union

Interest in forming a Minnesota branch of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) was first discussed at a meeting of 21 Twin Cities ACLU members on January 25, 1951 in the home of Minneapolis-based attorney Vincent Johnson. The meeting was called by Johnson; Henry E. Allen, University of Minnesota student religious activities coordinator; William Lloyd Sholes, Minneapolis attorney and ACLU state correspondent; and Maurice B. Visscher, University of Minnesota medical school professor, to discuss rising concerns about individual and minority rights in light of the Cold War and McCarthyism. A second meeting held in February of 1951 was attended by Alfred McClung Lee who represented the national board of the ACLU. Attendees at that meeting decided not to institute a state affiliate but to work toward increasing the number of Minnesotans with ACLU membership.

A year later, on May 12, 1952, more than 70 Twin Cities ACLU members were present at a meeting attended by ACLU field director George E. Rundquist. The members authorized Vincent Johnson to head a state organizing committee to canvass local support and to work with the national office on bylaws, organizational structure, and affiliation matters. Committee members included Henry E. Allen; Fanny F. Brin, member of the National Council of Jewish Women; Finch J. Cornwall, district manager, Mutual Service Insurance Companies; Earl R. Larson, attorney and later U.S. district judge; Verner Levi, University of Minnesota political science professor; Miriam Levy (Mrs. Irving Levy of St. Paul); Robert C. McClure, law professor; Russell E. Myers, executive director, St. Paul Council of Human Relations; Donald G. Peterson, University of Minnesota psychology professor; Robert W. Smith, Minneapolis Star editorialist; and Edward F. Waite, retired state district judge. An organization ballot was mailed on August 22, 1952 and in September 88 votes for state formation were recorded by the New York office of the ACLU.

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