South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg today backed down from their unconstitutional attempts to silence protesters.

A federal court blocked enforcement of the unconstitutional provisions of several South Dakota laws, including the recently-enacted “Riot Boosting” Act, that threaten activists who encourage or organize protests, particularly protests of the Keystone XL pipeline.

Because the challenged laws expose the plaintiffs to immediate and irreparable harm, the ACLU asked the court to immediately prohibit the state from enforcing these laws as the case goes forward. Judge Lawrence L. Piersol will issue a written ruling at a later date.

Activists, water protectors, social justice organizations and others will be gathering in Rapid City ahead of the U.S. District Court hearing on the “riot boosting” case on Wednesday, June 12, for a Protect the Protectors March and Rally.

The U.S. District Court in Rapid City will hear a case challenging three South Dakota laws, including the newly-enacted “Riot Boosting” Act, that threaten activists who encourage or organize protests with fines, civil liabilities, and/or criminal penalties of up to 25 years in prison.

Organization Argues Newly Enacted “Riot Boosting Act” Violates South Dakotans’ Free Speech and Due Process Rights

Because Senate Bill 189 passed, the ACLU of South Dakota is currently weighing all options to ensure the First Amendment rights of South Dakotans are upheld.

Today, South Dakota’s Joint Committee on Appropriations voted to advance Senate Bill 189, legislation that threatens freedom of speech and the right to protest.

The ACLU of South Dakota is concerned about this package of legislation. It is clear that Noem is taking aim at protests that could occur around the pipeline.