News & Commentary

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.

Each week we're counting down to our Cheers to Liberty event by spotlighting ACLU of South Dakota members. We are stoked to have the support of ACLU member and Sioux Falls community activist, Kayla Koterwski.

We are incredibly thankful to have the support of three term South Dakota State Senator Angie Buhl O'Donnell as we bring the Cheers to Liberty event to you in just two short weeks!

We are thrilled to introduce one of our featured guests and ACLU supporter, former U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota; Brendan Johnson.

Eyewitness accounts and video footage of nonviolent pipeline protesters engaged in civil disobedience near Cannonball, North Dakota on Saturday, September 3, 2016, highlight the use of excessive force by Dakota Access, LLC (DAPL) private security personnel on protesters.

Each week we're counting down to our Cheers to Liberty event by spotlighting ACLU of South Dakota members. We are pleased to introduce our presenting sponsor, Mark Meirehenry, whose generous support is critical to making our Cheers to Liberty event a success!

The American Civil Liberties Union of North Dakota last night sent a letter to Governor Dalrymple and the Morton County Sheriff urging them to protect the First Amendment rights of protesters at the site of the Dakota Access Pipeline construction.