Governor Jack Dalrymple

600 East Boulevard Avenue

Bismarck, ND 58505-0001
Dear Governor Jack Dalrymple,
The Bill of Rights Defense Committee & Defending Dissent Foundation is an
organization dedicated to upholding the promise of the Bill of Rights for all people. While
we seek to uphold all of the peoples rights, we pay special attention to the right to
engage in political expression and free association.
We are writing out of concern for the Standing Rock Water Protectors, as actions taken
by your office are jeopardizing their right to political expression. Your declaration of a
State of Emergency and the accompanying heavy-handed law enforcement
responses, which include the deployment of militarized police, the use of roadblocks,
and surveillance equipment have a twin deleterious effects on political expression. Such
disproportionate reactions to nonviolent protesters create a chilling effect on speech that
discourages individuals from expressing themselves freely. Roadblocks, some of which
are manned by military vehicles, impact not just those wishing to exercise their right to
free expression, assembly, and association, but all those wishing to travel freely. A state
of emergency, roadblocks, and images of military style weapons communicate a
message to the public at large that the protesters present a danger. By painting those
engaged in nonviolent political expression as a danger requiring a military style
response, state and local law enforcement are in essence demonizing and vilifying
individuals for engaging in nonviolent political expression.
The rights of freedom of expression, assembly, and association are protected by the
First Amendment of the United Constitution and are considered basic human rights
under international law. This includes the International Covenant on Political and Civil
Rights (ICPCR), which the United States Senate ratified in 1992, making it, under the
US Constitution, the supreme law of the land. Under the system of government outlined
by our Constitution, the First Amendment, and the ICPCR are binding on all levels of the
government. This includes both the state of North Dakota and Morton County.

As governor, you have a responsibility to uphold the supreme law of the land and
protect peoples rights to free expression, assembly, and association, and to refrain
from taking measures to deter individuals from doing so, or demonize them for
participating in our democracy. We ask that you immediately rescind the state of
emergency, recall the national guard and state police from Standing Rock, discontinue
the use the of military gear, and end the practice of road blocks.
Sincerely,
Sue Udry
Executive Directory
Chip Gibbons
Policy & Legislative Counsel