Events

Upcoming & Ongoing Events

Event | Virtual
An ACLU of South Dakota legal observer, wearing a blue vest, is working at a protest.

Legal Observer Training for Domestic Military Deployment

Protest has been a tried-and-true way to create change for centuries – and these days, more and more people are making their voices heard by marching in the streets. We love to see people exercising their First Amendment rights like this! The right to join with fellow citizens in protest or peaceful assembly, after all, is critical to a functioning democracy. But lately, we've been subjected to escalating threats to our free society. We are up against a coordinated assault on the constitutional right to free speech and political dissent that has sustained American democracy for the past 238 years. Alarmingly, we're also witnessing the intrusion of military force into civilian life. Earlier this summer, the Trump administration deployed Marines and National Guard units to crack down on protests in Los Angeles and has thousands of Guard members patrolling the streets of Washington, D.C. The administration has signaled that this is just the start, with plans to deploy more troops onto American streets in cities across the country – possibly even in South Dakota. The need for legal observers is critical to deter unlawful governmental intervention at protests and document potential abuse of power during domestic military deployments. Will you help us defend our free society? By completing this training and joining the volunteer legal observer team in your part of the state, you can do your part to uphold the First Amendment. Register today!
Oct 16, 2025 | 7:30 PM

Past Events

Event | In-person
Graphic that reads "VOTE" with a South Dakota logo

Stop By Voter Registration Drive

A voteOUT event. Please note that Hippie Haven is closed on Sundays!
Aug 31, 2020 | 10:00 AM
Event | In-person
Voting rights happy hour image

Voting Rights Happy Hour at Home

Every eligible LGBTQ+ and Two-Spirit voter has an obligation to vote in the upcoming election. We’re hosting this event to make sure everyone is prepared to make their voices heard. Join via Zoom or Facebook live on Aug. 20 and submit your questions ahead of time by emailing [email protected].
Aug 20, 2020 | 5:00 PM
Event | In-person
ACLU book club

Virtual Book Club: "So You Want to Talk About Race"

Craving something good to read? Want to find new ways to inform your activism? Looking for a way to build a community around the issues of civil rights? Then the ACLU of South Dakota's Civil Liberties Book Club is for you!
Jul 08, 2020 | 7:00 PM
Event | In-person
KYR While Demanding Justice

Know Your Rights: Protesting and Demanding Justice

Better understand your First Amendment rights to defend yourself and your community before demanding change.
Jun 30, 2020 | 7:00 PM
Event | In-person
Gina Chavez

Levitt in Your Living Room: Gina Chavez

This event is hosted by Levitt Sioux Falls
Jun 20, 2020 | 7:00 PM
Event | In-person
Virtual-rally-web-image

Virtual voteOUT Campaign Rally

At this virtual campaign rally, we’re kicking it off with a Pride playlist curated by DJ Korr, a brief program with our voteOUT team, then opening up the last 10 minutes for Q&A. We hope you leave feeling empowered, politically educated, and ready to vote like your rights depend on it. RSVP today!
Jun 20, 2020 | 11:00 AM
Event | In-person
virtual legal clinic

Virtual Legal Clinic

During this virtual clinic, volunteer attorney Kylie Riggins will be providing free legal assistance for individuals seeking to change their name and/or gender markers on their identifying documents in the state of South Dakota.
May 13, 2020 | 6:30 PM
Event | In-person
sd capitol protest

Zoom check-in: Two Spirit Community (-21)

This is an opportunity for Two Spirit folks under the age of 21 to discuss, connect, and share stories with one another and is hosted by Candi Brings Plenty, ACLU of South Dakota Indigenous Justice Organizer.
Apr 09, 2020 | 6:00 PM
Event | In-person
sd capitol protest

Zoom check-in: Two Spirit Community (21+)

This is an opportunity for Two Spirit folks over the age of 21 to discuss, connect, and share stories with one another and is hosted by Candi Brings Plenty, ACLU of South Dakota Indigenous Justice Organizer.
Apr 08, 2020 | 6:00 PM