In 2017, three bigoted legislative items were introduced during South Dakota's legislative session...

​Our Executive Director, Taneeza Islam, was contacted by lobbyist friends in the state capitol about these bigoted pieces of legislation. She organized people to be present and heard during committee testimony in Pierre, and utilized social media and local news to inform South Dakota about these issues. Each time, people showed up to fight against the propaganda that tried to instill fear in our state about Islam, Muslims, immigrants, and refugees.

After 2017 legislative session, we witnessed a surge in Islamophobic, anti-immigrant, and anti-refugee speakers coming to South Dakota.

These speakers are part of a national circuit of Islamophobia, xenophobia, and bigotry, and they came to SD to further sow seeds of hate and fear in our communities. Our group continued to meet, grow, and openly resist the imported hate in our state. SD had no organizations devoted to advocacy against Islamophobia and anti-immigrant/refugee activities, and none committed to empowering impacted communities to use their voices and become civically engaged.
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So in October 2017, South Dakota Voices for Justice 501(c)(4) was incorporated as a nonprofit in the State of South Dakota. South Dakota Voices for Peace 501(c)(3), its sister organization devoted to education and legal services, was also incorporated. Together, the two organizations work together to build a diverse, inclusive, and anti-racist South Dakota.

About SDVFJ

​South Dakota Voices for Justice is the legislative advocacy and direct lobbying arm of South Dakota Voices for Peace. Our mission is to empower South Dakotans with accurate information to fight Islamophobia, anti-immigrant, and anti-refugee bigotry.

South Dakota Voices For Justice is a registered nonprofit organization with the State of South Dakota. We advocate for social and political change in order to nurture informed, inclusive, and civically-engaged communities while supporting legislation, elected officials, and candidates for office that align in compliance with IRS regulations. SDVFJ is not affiliated with any political party or organization.
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We welcome and are inclusive of all people, regardless of race, age, religion, ethnicity, national origin, color, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, or citizenship. Since our work occasionally involves political activities that may be subject to tax, contributions are not tax-deductible.