News & Commentary

The following was published as an opinion editorial by Jordyn Chabotte, Mat-Su Organizer, in the Mat-Su Frontiersman on September 24, 2024. 

The following was published as an opinion editorial by Mara Kimmel in the Anchorage Daily News on June 1, 2024. The original piece can be found here. 

Nearly 700 bills were introduced during the two-year legislative cycle, and many of them intersected with Alaska’s constitution. Here's how things turned out as the legislature came to a close two weeks ago.

This week, Governor Mike Dunleavy introduced a bill that would violate Alaskans’ rights to free speech and assembly. It was a stark reminder that in his time as governor, Dunleavy has repeatedly targeted and violated the First Amendment rights of Alaskans.

With recent efforts by the Alaska School Board and Mat-Su School Board to pass discriminatory policies towards LGBTQIA2S+ students, the ACLU of Alaska would like to remind students, parents and teachers of the rights afforded to everyone under the U.S. and Alaska Constitution.  

We're disappointed that earlier today, Governor Walker announced he would allow House Bill 156, a bill that restricts the free speech rights of Alaskan students, to become law despite its constitutional infirmities.