Press Releases

As the leading civil rights organization in our state, the ACLU of North Dakota believes in keeping the public informed about the state of their civil liberties. The work we do at the legislature, in the courts, and in our communities is important, but there is no better defender of civil rights than a public that is informed and engaged. For media inquiries, email [email protected]

Jul 07, 2025

ACLU of North Dakota Hires New Digital Communications Associate

As digital communications associate, Sarah Parkin develops and manages the cross-platform digital communications and social media strategy for the ACLU of North Dakota and is responsible for generating content that is engaging, up-to-date and results in measurable action.
Apr 23, 2025

ACLU of North Dakota Comments on Veto of Book Censorship Bill

Senate Bill 2307 was a deeply flawed bill. Each of us gets to choose what books we read and what information we access — but we don’t get to choose for other people. We’re glad that Gov. Armstrong agrees.
Issue Areas: Free Speech
Apr 14, 2025

House Lawmakers Pass Censorship Bill; ACLU of North Dakota Comments

Moving books to a less accessible section in the library for its intended readers, like what is being proposed in Senate Bill 2307, is an example of soft censorship and runs counter to the American tradition of encouraging the free flow of information and ideas.
Issue Areas: Free Speech
Mar 27, 2025

North Dakota Decriminalizes State HIV Laws

This week, Gov. Kelly Armstrong signed into law House Bill 1217, legislation to reform North Dakota’s outdated laws that unfairly criminalized and stigmatized people living with HIV.
Issue Areas: LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit Rights
Mar 13, 2025

Resolution to Ask Supreme Court to Undo Same-Sex Marriage Ruling Fails; ACLU Comments

Rejecting HCR 3013 was the right thing to do. This resolution was a bigoted and unpopular view on same-sex marriage and an affront to queer people in our state.
Issue Areas: LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit Rights
Feb 11, 2025

ACLU of North Dakota Opposes School Chaplain Bill

Allowing chaplains’ offices in school will open our students to religious coercion and runs counter to our Constitutional principles. We urge lawmakers to reject this bill and seek better ways to serve public school students that do not involve unconstitutional, school-sponsored religion.
Issue Areas: Religious Liberty
Feb 04, 2025

ACLU Responds to North Dakota Support of Trump EO on Birthright Citizenship

By signing onto this amicus brief, North Dakota is sending a message of exclusion to children in our state directly impacted by Trump's executive order on birthright citizenship and to the many others who will have their citizenship questioned because of their race or who their parents are.
Issue Areas: Immigrants' Rights
Jan 14, 2025

Bill to Require Public Schools to Post Ten Commandments is Unnecessary, Unconstitutional

America is not a theocracy and North Dakota’s public schools shouldn’t be used to religiously indoctrinate or convert students. House Bill 1145 is unconstitutional and an affront to the American ideals of religious liberty.
Issue Areas: Religious Liberty
Oct 15, 2024

ACLU Appoints Libby Skarin as Executive Director of Dakotas and Wyoming Chapter

As executive director, Skarin will oversee chapter operations and lead efforts to ensure the work of the ACLU is well-supported, coordinated and aligned with its strategic plan to further advance civil liberties in North Dakota.