News & Commentary

The ACLU of South Dakota filed a lawsuit today challenging the use of forced catheterization against the Department of Social Services, Avera St. Mary Hospital, members of the Pierre Police Department, the Sisseton Police Department, and the South Dakota Highway Patrol.

Child welfare officials in South Dakota unnecessarily subjected a small boy to pain and trauma. We want answers.

The Department of Social Services in Pierre ordered a child to be catheterized in order to charge his parents with a crime. We wrote a letter telling them to stop.

ACLU of South Dakota policy director and lobbyist, Libby Skarin breaks down the good, the bad, and the next steps for us in her Legislative Recap.

Plan now to attend a Legislative Coffee or Cracker Barrel: Legislative Coffees and/or Cracker Barrels are held in communities across the state and are attended by the Senators and Representatives who represent that district. These events are a great opportunity to show up and ask questions of your legislators throughout the session. Attend your Legislative Coffee or Cracker Barrel to let your elected officials know that you're paying attention this session!

Sign up to volunteer with the ACLU of South Dakota, and commit to showing up in Pierre, at local legislative coffees, and school board meetings!

Imagine you’ve been charged with a crime. You’re sitting in jail and you’re anxious, nervous, and hoping your case moves forward quickly. You can’t get out of jail to work or to see your family. Now, imagine that you’ve been sitting in jail like this for four, six, or even eleven months and while you haven’t been convicted of any crime, you can’t leave. Even worse? Your case isn’t moving forward at all. It may sound like a nightmare scenario but it’s exactly what’s happening to some mentally ill defendants in South Dakota.

The use of surveillance, military-style force, and religious oppression against indigenous people has a long history in this country. Today, on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and at a moment of surging indigenous power and strength, we bring light to the ongoing repression of the indigenous nations by Morton County and the state of North Dakota.