Events

Upcoming & Ongoing Events

Event | In-Person
Collage with protest signs that say "Freedom of Speech" and "Stop Banning Books"

First Amendment Rights & Action Training

“Freedom of expression is the matrix, the indispensable condition, of nearly every other form of freedom.” —U.S. Supreme Court Justice Benjamin N. Cardozo in Palko v. Connecticut The First Amendment is a cornerstone of American democracy. It allows us to express our views, challenge authority, and engage in public debate. In recent years, however, these freedoms have come under intense scrutiny. We’ve seen book challenges in our communities, concerns about government retaliation against journalists and activists, and efforts to show preference to particular religious views in our schools. This is why understanding what the First Amendment protects is more important than ever. On Thursday, April 23, we will premiere a new training to better inform North Dakotans of their rights under the First Amendment and empower them to be able to take action to defend our freedoms in their communities. By completing this training, North Dakotans will be equipped with the knowledge and resources they need to better advocate for themselves regarding their First Amendment rights. This training will cover what those rights are, where they apply, who they apply to and scenarios where limitations and restrictions can occur. Are you ready to defend our free society? Join us by registering now.
Apr 23, 2026 | 6:00 PM (CT)
Event | In-Person
Liberty and Libations

Liberty & Libations: Mandan

Community, connections, and conversation are on tap at Thomas and Moriarty’s in Mandan. But happy hour won’t be as happy without you! Join us on Friday, April 24 for Liberty & Libations. This is your chance to socialize with advocates and changemakers and learn how the ACLU’s mission is working to make an impact in North Dakota. We’ll share a bit about our current priorities, but we want to hear from you to learn more about the issues you care most about. We are also excited to be joined by our partners from Gender Justice and the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition ahead of the weekend’s second annual People’s Session. Change happens in our communities when we talk to each other and share our ideas. Let’s raise a glass to each other and to the work we can do together. P.S. The first 30 people who RSVP will be entered in a drawing for ACLU swag!
Apr 24, 2026 | 5:30 PM (CT)

Past Events

Event | In-Person
A photo of an ACLU Legal Observer at a protest with a green and gold background.

Legal Observer Trainings - Fargo

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! Unfortunately, law enforcement officials sometimes violate this right through means intended to thwart free public expression. As people prepare to gather for No Kings Rallies across the country and right here in North Dakota later this month, we want to make sure no one's First Amendment rights are violated. Please note: This link will take you to a third-party website, nokings.org. That's why we're inviting you to join the ACLU's team of legal observers. Legal observers are committed to defending free speech in a way that is as objective as possible so that their documentation can be used as evidence if police misconduct or obstructions to constitutionally protected free speech are challenged in court. The need for legal observers is critical to deter and stand up to unlawful governmental intervention at protests and document potential abuse of power. By completing this training and joining the ACLU's volunteer legal observer team, you can do your part to uphold the First Amendment at the Fargo No Kings Rally and beyond. Will you help us protect protesters, hold law enforcement accountable, and defend our free society?
Mar 22, 2026 | 12:00 AM
Event | In-Person
North Dakota Banned Books Week featuring author Nico Lang

North Dakota Banned Books Week 2025

To celebrate National Banned Books Week 2025, join us in a community near you for a conversation with Nico Lang, best-selling author of "American Teenager: How Trans Kids are Surviving Hate and Finding Joy in a Turbulent Era." Each event is free and no registration is required. North Dakota is just one of the stops on Nico’s 50-state national book tour. For their groundbreaking book, nonbinary award-winning journalist Nico Lang (they/them) spent a year traveling the country to document the lives of transgender, nonbinary, and genderfluid teens and their families. Drawing on hundreds of hours of on-the-ground interviews with them and the people in their communities, "American Teenager: How Trans Kids Are Surviving Hate and Finding Joy in a Turbulent Era" paints a vivid portrait of what it’s actually like to grow up trans today. Nico will be joined in conversation with Cody Schuler of the ACLU of North Dakota. The ACLU has been on the front lines fighting for LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit rights and protecting First Amendment freedoms. The ACLU of ND is honored to present these stops on Nico’s tour as part of National Banned Books Week 2025. Monday, October 6: Fargo 7:00 PM at Atomic Coffee, 222 Broadway N #100, Fargo Tuesday, October 7: Jamestown & Bismarck 12:00 PM at Knight and Day Coffee, 1107 N University Dr, Jamestown 7:00 PM at Lucky's 13 Pub, 915 S 3rd St, Bismarck Wednesday, October 8: Bismarck & Minot 12:00 PM at Bismarck State College's Skogen Hall, 1400 Schafer St, Bismarck 7:00 PM at Main Street Books, 8 Main St S, Minot Thursday, October 9: Grand Forks 6:00 PM at Grand Forks Public Library, 2110 Library Circle, Grand Forks All event locations are ADA compliant. Individuals with requests for specific accommodations to be able to fully participate in any events, please email [email protected].
Oct 06, 2025 | 12:00 AM
Event | In-Person
Celebrate Pride with us!

Meet the ACLU at Minot Pride

May 31, 2025 | 10:00 AM
Event | In-Person
Happy Hour with the ACLU

Happy Hour with the ACLU in Minot

May 30, 2025 | 5:30 PM
Event | In-Person
LGBTQ Lobby Day 2025

LGBTQ+ Lobby Day

The North Dakota Human Rights Coalition and the ACLU of North Dakota are hosting an LGBTQ+ Lobby Day in Bismarck on Monday to oppose discriminatory legislation.
Mar 21, 2025 | 4:00 PM
Event | In-Person
Know Your Rights Election 2024

Know Your Voting Rights Lunch and Learn

Get all your voting rights questions answered during your lunch break!
Oct 25, 2024 | 12:00 PM
Event | In-Person
Know Your Rights Election 2024

Know Your Voting Rights Workshop and Q&A

Do you understand your rights at the polls? What can you expect when voting in person? Do you have a plan to cast your ballot? Get all your voting questions answered!
Oct 24, 2024 | 6:30 PM
Event | In-Person
North Dakota LGBTQIA2S+ Summit

North Dakota LGBTQIA2S+ Summit

Oct 11, 2024 | 12:00 AM
Event | In-Person
Voting 2024 buttons

Know Your Voter Rights

Oct 07, 2024 | 6:00 PM