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
ESC event image

Voter Registration and Conversation

Join members from the ACLU and co-sponsors on Feb. 26 for voting rights education, empowerment, and the history of voter suppression in our country.
Feb 26, 2020 | 6:00 PM
Event | In-person
KYR Event Image

Know Your Rights: LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit Students

Learn more about your civil rights, how to exercise them, and what to do when your rights are violated at school or on campus during this interactive presentation.
Feb 05, 2020 | 7:00 PM
Event | In-person
Ally Academy

Ally Academy: Brookings

Being an ally is action-oriented. It means being a supportive and proactive presence for LGBTQ+ & Two Spirit folks.
Jan 30, 2020 | 6:30 PM
Event | In-person
Sioux Falls Women's March

Sioux Falls Women's March

2020 will be our most important year yet! Join GirlTrek Sioux Falls, LEAD South Dakota, South Dakota Voices for Peace, South Dakota Voices For Justice, South Dakotans Against Racism, and ACLU of South Dakota for this historic rally for women.
Jan 18, 2020 | 10:00 AM
Event | In-person
Ally Academy

Ally Academy: Sioux Falls

Being an ally is action-oriented. It means being a supportive and proactive presence for LGBTQ+ & Two Spirit folks.
Jan 15, 2020 | 6:00 PM
Event | In-person
Ally Academy

Ally Academy: Rapid City

Being an ally is action-oriented. It means being a supportive and proactive presence for LGBTQ+ & Two Spirit folks.
Jan 12, 2020 | 4:00 PM
Event | In-person
Write web

Strongly Worded Letter Writing Party

Local politics leaving you a little concerned? Let’s write about it.
Jan 09, 2020 | 6:30 PM
Event | In-person
LNI

Meet the ACLU at LNI

Candi will be inside the Civic Center's main area on Friday and Saturday at the ACLU of South Dakota table, just look for the big vertical ACLU banner!
Dec 21, 2019 | 10:00 AM
Event | In-person
LNI

Meet the ACLU at LNI

Candi will be inside the Civic Center's main area on Friday and Saturday at the ACLU of South Dakota table, just look for the big vertical ACLU banner!
Dec 20, 2019 | 12:00 PM