News & Commentary

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.

The ACLU of Montana held a virtual town hall highlighting the upcoming 2023 Legislative Session on Wednesday, November 30th. You can watch the full video from that event here or below. 

There are so many ways you can celebrate this day and support Indigenous people while doing so! See reflections below on what Indigenous Peoples’ Day means to staff at the ACLU of Montana.

The Supreme Court is set to hear Merrill v. Milligan, a case about Alabama’s discriminatory congressional maps and Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.

Unclear regulation and a lack of transparency increase the risk that AI and algorithmic tools that exacerbate racial biases will be used in medical settings.