News & Commentary

It is all-hands-on-deck in opposition to Senate Bill 114, a proposal that would require the display of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom across Montana.

There is a lot going on in this moment in time – with breaking news about harmful bills and bad policies coming at us daily. But one thing remains, the ACLU of Montana's focus on preserving civil rights for all people, no matter how much chaos we are all witnessing in the world today.

The 2025 Montana legislative session has begun! Here at the ACLU of Montana, we are firing on all cylinders this session, with leadership from our amazing Advocacy, Policy and Organizing Department (APOD) Team.

We are here – and our legal, policy, and advocacy teams are prepared to spring into action to protect our civil rights and civil liberties no matter the threat.

Montana has catapulted into the national landscape as a key battleground state for many races and issues in the upcoming 2024 election. Over the next few months, our airwaves and ecosystems will be inundated with campaign ads, some more truthful than others, but one constant theme should ring true: on Tuesday, November 5, Montanans have the opportunity to forge a more fair and equitable future that protects, honors, and promotes civil liberties. 

Like many cities across the United States, Missoula has been grappling with how to accommodate people who are forced to sleep outside when housing is out of reach. Unfortunately, the Missoula City Council has ignored expert recommendations and significant community input related to Missoula’s “urban camping” policies; instead some City Council members pushed ahead with a harmful and restrictive urban camping ordinance that will demonstrably make life harder and more dangerous for Missoula’s unhoused residents.

We are compelled to discuss the urgent need to support Indigenous candidates running for office ahead of the 2024 election and beyond. Recent bipartisan legislative retirements of American Indian Caucus members leave a significant void of expertise on matters of state-tribal policy, with no clear replacements emerging. In addition, we are particularly concerned by the complete lack of support for the candidacy of Barbara Bessette (Chippewa-Cree, HD20) from within her own party, who was one of the first urban Indigenous members elected to the Montana state legislature. The legislature is best served by a diversity of Indigenous voices, but neither party has taken serious efforts to help Indigenous candidates succeed. 

ACLU of Montana roundly condemned a vote by the Montana House of Representatives baselessly prolonging the de facto censure of Montana State Representative Zooey Zephyr (HD-100) and denying her constituents adequate representation in state government.

Montana's legislative session is a whirlwind. Every other year, legislators and advocates come together for 90 days to create laws that – we hope – will make Montana a better place to live, work, and raise a family.