Latest news with #NorthDakotaHumanRightsCoalition
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
People's Session provides legislative wish list for 2027 session
Dalton Erickson, executive director of the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition, speaks at the Heritage Center on May 16, 2025, during the first People's Session, which heard concerns from residents about the 2025 legislative session. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor) Progressive North Dakotans who brainstormed ideas for the next legislative session want lawmakers to focus on three areas: strong schools, economic security and personal freedom. About 40 people broke into small groups at the North Dakota Heritage Center on Friday to discuss what they believe are the most pressing issues facing the state. The discussion was part of a community-led event called the People's Session. Erin Oban, a former Democratic state senator and teacher, said students going through the K-12 system have vastly different needs. 'There is strong public support for our public schools,' Oban said. 'The challenge is that is not necessarily reflected in the decision-making process and funding that is coming, particularly from the state level.' She added teachers are being underfunded and some have needed to take second jobs to make ends meet. 'We think that is horrible and quite a reflection on how we value teaching as a profession,' she said. Barry Nelson, a community organizer for the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition, told event attendees that pre-K and early childhood education in the state need to be expanded. About 62,000 kids in North Dakota are under age 6, but there are only about 38,000 licensed early childhood education slots in the state, he said. 'The data shows that effective early childhood education increases income, reduces poverty, reduces teenage pregnancies and boosts economic productivity,' Nelson said. Other education suggestions included creating incentives for businesses to hire international students who study in North Dakota to keep them in-state after they graduate. It also was suggested that North Dakota, in coordination with the federal government, should be able to issue a certain amount of work visas to international graduates. Another attendee suggested addressing a shortage of lawyers with student loan forgiveness for North Dakota law school graduates and other professions if they stay in the state for five years. Other policy suggestions included taxing out-of-state interests at a higher rate than North Dakota residents or businesses, raising the minimum wage to a livable wage and prohibiting businesses from paying tipped workers below minimum wage. Progressive groups plan 'People's Session' to set North Dakota priorities for future legislation Those speaking on personal freedom wanted more pushback against the state's abortion law and other laws targeting gender-affirming care or health care-related issues. Advocacy organizations hosting the event included the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition, Gender Justice, Prairie Action, American Civil Liberties Union of North Dakota and North Dakota AFL-CIO. Dalton Erickson, executive director for the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition, said the state has a citizen Legislature, which means the common people are supposed to have their voices heard for 80 days in Bismarck, every two years. He said one of the purposes of the event was not only to hear concerns from the public, but to better organize policy proposals ahead of the next legislative session in 2027. Erickson added they will put many of the suggestions into bill draft form over the next year and will revisit the issues in spring 2026. 'I think we have a lot of excited people and a lot of great ideas to work off of,' he said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Protesters in Grand Forks rally for Ukraine following Oval Office fallout
Mar. 2—GRAND FORKS — Around 50 protesters gathered Sunday in Grand Forks in a show of support for Ukraine after a blowout White House meeting rattled U.S.-Ukrainian relations. They gathered in Grand Forks' Town Square and on the Greenway before making their way across the Sorlie Bridge during the brief afternoon rally. The rally came days after a contentious Oval Office meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, at which Trump berated Zelenskyy and called off a deal giving the U.S. access to Ukrainian mineral deposits. "It's sad. It's even more shameful that the United States has decided to be a mob boss when it comes to protection," said Dalton Erickson, executive director of the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition. "What is this? Give us $500 billion in mineral rights and we'll protect you? We used to be a country that fought for freedom and democracy." Standing on either side of DeMers Avenue, supporters waved blue and yellow flags and held up signs reading "I stand with Ukraine." Others read "Trump lies for Putin" or depicted billionaire presidential adviser Elon Musk clad in monarchial robes and a crown. Zelenskyy left the White House on Friday without signing the mineral rights deal after Trump shouted at the Ukrainian leader and accused him of being "disrespectful" and "gambling with World War III." Ukraine had indicated it was open to the mineral rights deal to repay the U.S. for the $180 billion in aid the eastern European country has received during a nearly three-years-long war with Russia, but sought security guarantees before it was ready to enter peace talks. UND students Judy and Lizzie Starosta joined the protest after seeing it from their apartment window, bringing along a pair of Ukrainian flags. The children of Ukrainian emigres said it was important for Americans to show unity with Ukraine and recognize the two countries' shared patriotism and democratic values. "Fighting for democracy, whether here or anywhere else, is very important," said Judy. One counterprotester, former School Board and County Commission candidate Ron Barta, briefly disrupted the rally; Ukraine supporters drowned him out, chanting "power to the people!" Most European countries have rallied in support of Ukraine, while Democrats have condemned Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance for their public conduct toward Zelenskyy and perceived shift toward Russian President Vladimir Putin, widely considered a dictator by U.S. allies. Republicans, on the other hand, have heaped blame on Zelenskyy, with the notable exception of Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski. Regional lawmakers largely split along party lines in their response to the White House meeting, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota staking out a middle ground between the two. Local Democratic leaders joined with the newly-formed Grand Forks chapter of the progressive Indivisible movement to organize event. Sheila Fontaine, chair of the Polk County and Red Lake County Democrats, told the Herald the White House meeting was part of the Trump administration's latest salvo against democracy. "The news is coming at us like a fire hose," she told protesters. "So be ready, because at a moment's notice we're going to be right back out here doing what we do." Indivisible chapter members are planning to meet Monday in Fargo with the staff of North Dakota Sen. John Hoeven, organizer Cathy Williams said, and are planning further protest action for Tuesday's State of the Union address.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Settlement reached in North Dakota lawsuit alleging intimidation by white nationalist hate group
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Two North Dakota nonprofits have settled their lawsuit against a white nationalist hate group that alleged it intimidated immigrant business owners, though the details are unclear. A court docket entry last week gave notice of the settlement following a conference in Fargo, and attorneys have not provided details. In 2023, the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition, the Immigrant Development Center and the center's executive director sued Patriot Front, two of its leaders and 10 unidentified others, alleging they violated the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871, among other claims. The plaintiffs sought unspecified damages to be determined at trial, along with other requested relief. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Their complaint alleged members of Patriot Front vandalized businesses and public property in recent years, including spray-painting Patriot Front designs on the front of the International Market Plaza, an indoor marketplace for immigrant business owners in Fargo. The complaint also claims they defaced a mural depicting Black women wearing hijabs. Last year, a federal judge dismissed some of the claims against two Patriot Front leaders, Thomas Rousseau and Trevor Valescu. An assistant for the white nationalist group's attorney, Jason Lee Van Dyke, said this week that he was unavailable to comment on the settlement. A spokesperson for a legal group representing the plaintiffs said Thursday they could not immediately provide comment. Other lawsuits in recent years have cited the Ku Klux Klan Act, including one from multiple Democratic U.S. representatives against President Donald Trump in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Last month, a federal judge awarded a Black man more than $2.7 million in his lawsuit citing the same civil rights law against Patriot Front, Rousseau and unnamed others. He had accused group members of beating him in 'coordinated, brutal, and racially motivated attack" in 2022 in Boston. Patriot Front is a white nationalist hate group that broke off from Vanguard America, a group involved in the deadly 'Unite the Right' rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017, said Rachel Carroll Rivas, interim director at the Southern Poverty Law Center's Intelligence Project. Patriot Front is 'very theatrical' with marches, public displays and racist propaganda, she said. The North Dakota lawsuit could impact the group's recruitment because of the accountability it brings, Carroll Rivas said. 'If we have less people involved, that is a win,' she said.
Associated Press
13-02-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Settlement reached in North Dakota lawsuit alleging intimidation by white nationalist hate group
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Two North Dakota nonprofits have settled their lawsuit against a white nationalist hate group that alleged it intimidated immigrant business owners, though the details are unclear. A court docket entry last week gave notice of the settlement following a conference in Fargo, and attorneys have not provided details. In 2023, the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition, the Immigrant Development Center and the center's executive director sued Patriot Front, two of its leaders and 10 unidentified others, alleging they violated the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871, among other claims. The plaintiffs sought unspecified damages to be determined at trial, along with other requested relief. Their complaint alleged members of Patriot Front vandalized businesses and public property in recent years, including spray-painting Patriot Front designs on the front of the International Market Plaza, an indoor marketplace for immigrant business owners in Fargo. The complaint also claims they defaced a mural depicting Black women wearing hijabs. Last year, a federal judge dismissed some of the claims against two Patriot Front leaders, Thomas Rousseau and Trevor Valescu. An assistant for the white nationalist group's attorney, Jason Lee Van Dyke, said this week that he was unavailable to comment on the settlement. A spokesperson for a legal group representing the plaintiffs said Thursday they could not immediately provide comment. Other lawsuits in recent years have cited the Ku Klux Klan Act, including one from multiple Democratic U.S. representatives against President Donald Trump in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Last month, a federal judge awarded a Black man more than $2.7 million in his lawsuit citing the same civil rights law against Patriot Front, Rousseau and unnamed others. He had accused group members of beating him in 'coordinated, brutal, and racially motivated attack' in 2022 in Boston. Patriot Front is a white nationalist hate group that broke off from Vanguard America, a group involved in the deadly 'Unite the Right' rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017, said Rachel Carroll Rivas, interim director at the Southern Poverty Law Center's Intelligence Project. Patriot Front is 'very theatrical' with marches, public displays and racist propaganda, she said. The North Dakota lawsuit could impact the group's recruitment because of the accountability it brings, Carroll Rivas said. 'If we have less people involved, that is a win,' she said.
