ACLU Archives - KVRR Local News

Aclu To Train 'legal Observers' For Upcoming No Kings Protest

ACLU to Train ‘Legal Observers’ in Advance of Third No Kings Protest

The organization says that having impartial, third-party witnesses and documenters of what goes on at public gatherings is essential for protecting First Amendment rights.

March 18, 2026

Gabriel Ostler,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – The previous two No Kings protests at City Hall in Fargo featured plenty of community volunteer staff members in hi-vis vests, monitoring the area, aiming to keep the peace. This time, though, those in attendance will see a new kind of vested volunteer on display. The ACLU calls these people Legal Observers – a term not…

Lipps Case Causes State Lawmakers to Consider Incarceration Levels

Sen. Tim Mathern believes the state should spend less money on imprisoning people and more on resources that would strengthen social safety nets.

March 17, 2026

Gabriel Ostler,

Sen. Tim Mathern, D-Fargo, speaks on the Senate floor during the organizational session on Dec. 4, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – The Lipps case is spurring reactions from state lawmakers, some of whom believe the role that A.I. plays in law enforcement should be considered. The ACLU has also spoken about this issue. They say that false…

Local Businesses Participate In Nationwide Protest

More than a dozen area-owned businesses participate in the nationwide shutdown on Friday

January 30, 2026

Juliana Pelaez,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Many local businesses have announced on social media that they would not be open on Friday to join in the nationwide protest against ICE. While there are some who are open, they say they are showing other ways to support in solidarity. “We thought it was really important to participate in this to show our solidarity…

New Bill Would Require Peace Officers To Report Suspected Undocumented Immigrants to ICE

January 27, 2025

Juliana Pelaez,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Representative Jim Kasper of Fargo is among lawmakers sponsoring a bill that would require peace officers to report suspected undocumented immigrants to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The bill says if the peace officer fails to make the report, they could be charged with a class B misdemeanor and be sentenced to up to six…

ACLU Sends Action Alert for Public Comment Period at Fargo City Commission Meetings

March 15, 2024

Alex Bertsch,

The American Civil Liberties Union of North Dakota has issued an action alert inviting members of the community to write The Fargo City Commission, urging that the Commission continue to allow public comment at its meetings. The alert comes in response to a City Commission meeting on March 5th, where a proposal was presented that would restructure the way the…

Zandbroz Variety Store and ACLU team up to host postcard writing event

March 9, 2023

KVRR Staff,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Zandbroz Variety Store and the ACLU of North Dakota want you to get your writing hands ready. They are hosting a postcard writing event to oppose legislation restricting what public libraries can shelve. It is on Monday from 5:30 to 7:00 PM at Zandbroz Variety Store in downtown Fargo. People are encouraged to write letters to…

Minnesota man among three Muslim Americans suing over religious questioning

March 24, 2022

KVRR Staff,

LOS ANGELES – Three Muslim Americans have filed a lawsuit alleging that U.S. border officers questioned them about their religious beliefs in violation of their constitutional rights when they returned from international travel. The three men from Minnesota, Texas and Arizona sued Department of Homeland Security officials in federal court in Los Angeles. The suit was filed in California because…

Journalists settle lawsuit over mistreatment while covering riots

February 9, 2022

Jim Monk,

MINNEAPOLIS – The state of Minnesota has agreed to pay $825,000 and change several policies to settle a lawsuit brought by journalists who say they were hurt or harassed while covering violent protests over the police killings of George Floyd and Daunte Wright. The American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota and the state’s Department of Public Safety announced the settlement….

Noem drafts bill to block critical race theory in schools, colleges

December 21, 2021

KVRR Staff,

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) – Republican Gov. Kristi Noem has drafted a bill that would block teaching critical race theory in South Dakota schools, public universities and technical colleges. Critical race theory is an academic concept that originated in the 1970s. It focuses on how racism is embedded in legal systems in the United States. South Dakota education officials say…

North Dakota Women’s March goes virtual

Increase in COVID-19 cases throughout the state brings the event online

October 17, 2020

,

NORTH DAKOTA– The North Dakota Women’s March was held online this year due to the spike of COVID-19 cases throughout the state. The hosts of the event gave information about the women’s suffrage movement as well as information on how to vote in the upcoming election. Many women showed up to share their stories and experiences with gender identity, sexuality,…