ACLU to open South Dakota office
Posted: Wednesday, September 10, 2008
PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- The American Civil Liberties Union says it will open a new office in South Dakota so the organization can significantly expand its work on civil liberties in the state.
The ACLU in recent years has won a number of lawsuits dealing with voting rights and other issues in South Dakota, but it has done its work in the state through an office located in North Dakota. The new office will be better equipped to tackle civil liberties issues facing South Dakota, such as protecting the voting rights of American Indians and protecting reproductive freedom, the organization said in a written statement.
The ACLU's executive director in South Dakota will be Robert Doody, who has been vice president of programs and operations at St. Francis Mission. He has been a special judge for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and worked as an attorney for the Dakota Plains Legal Services, which represents low-income Indians.
"I am deeply honored to lead the ACLU of South Dakota National Chapter and to Connie to expand the ACLU's work here preserving the principles contained within the Bill of Rights," Doody said.
"Since making South Dakota my home and serving its marginalized groups, I have learned that defending the United States Constitution is the key to protecting ourselves against the over-encroachment of government, institutionalized racism and the disenfranchisement of the citizens of the state."
Doody received his law degree from the University of North Dakota. He has bachelor's and master's degrees from universities in Northern Ireland.
The ACLU said it now has an office in every state and in Puerto Rico.
"While an ACLU National Chapter has been serving both Dakotas, South Dakota residents are sure to benefit from finally having their very own office working day in and day out to protect their rights and liberties," said Geri Rozanski, director of ACLU affiliate support.
The ACLU has represented South Dakota clients in cases that resulted in changes in elections laws, electoral districts and school policies.
In one case, three state legislative districts were redrawn after a federal judge ruled that a redistricting plan previously approved by the South Dakota Legislature violated the voting rights of Indians in an area that includes the Pine Ridge and Rosebud reservations.
The ACLU also won cases or settlements that resulted in redistricting to give Indian candidates a better chance in elections for the Martin City Council, Charles Mix County Commission and the Wagner School Board.
In another case, the Winner School District agreed to make changes after a lawsuit was filed that alleged the district treated Indian students unfairly.
The ACLU in recent years has won a number of lawsuits dealing with voting rights and other issues in South Dakota, but it has done its work in the state through an office located in North Dakota. The new office will be better equipped to tackle civil liberties issues facing South Dakota, such as protecting the voting rights of American Indians and protecting reproductive freedom, the organization said in a written statement.
The ACLU's executive director in South Dakota will be Robert Doody, who has been vice president of programs and operations at St. Francis Mission. He has been a special judge for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and worked as an attorney for the Dakota Plains Legal Services, which represents low-income Indians.
"I am deeply honored to lead the ACLU of South Dakota National Chapter and to Connie to expand the ACLU's work here preserving the principles contained within the Bill of Rights," Doody said.
"Since making South Dakota my home and serving its marginalized groups, I have learned that defending the United States Constitution is the key to protecting ourselves against the over-encroachment of government, institutionalized racism and the disenfranchisement of the citizens of the state."
Doody received his law degree from the University of North Dakota. He has bachelor's and master's degrees from universities in Northern Ireland.
The ACLU said it now has an office in every state and in Puerto Rico.
"While an ACLU National Chapter has been serving both Dakotas, South Dakota residents are sure to benefit from finally having their very own office working day in and day out to protect their rights and liberties," said Geri Rozanski, director of ACLU affiliate support.
The ACLU has represented South Dakota clients in cases that resulted in changes in elections laws, electoral districts and school policies.
In one case, three state legislative districts were redrawn after a federal judge ruled that a redistricting plan previously approved by the South Dakota Legislature violated the voting rights of Indians in an area that includes the Pine Ridge and Rosebud reservations.
The ACLU also won cases or settlements that resulted in redistricting to give Indian candidates a better chance in elections for the Martin City Council, Charles Mix County Commission and the Wagner School Board.
In another case, the Winner School District agreed to make changes after a lawsuit was filed that alleged the district treated Indian students unfairly.
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