We the People is a blog series that features the stories of members, supporters, volunteers, and allies of the American Civil Liberties Union of North Dakota. Together we are accomplishing critical work in our state to protect and advance civil liberties across the Midwest and beyond.
Name: Sarah Fleshman
Pronouns: she/her
Lives in: Portland, N.D.
Last month, more than 300 students from across the country met with congressional leaders in Washington, D.C., to advocate for their First Amendment rights, urging lawmakers to vote no on the online censorship bill known as the Kids Online Safety Act.
The student lobbying effort was a part of the ACLU’s National Advocacy Institute, an annual week-long learning experience offering the next generation of social justice advocates first-hand expertise from lawyers, lobbyists, community activists, and other experts dedicated to defending constitutional rights.
For Sarah Fleshman, who moved to North Dakota in 2022, the Advocacy Institute was a transformative experience.
Sarah first heard about the ACLU when she was in eighth grade. She was writing an essay about abolishing the death penalty and used a lot of ACLU data as a source. “That’s when it really struck me that there could be a large organization looking out for people’s rights,” she said.
Fast-forward to the summer of 2024, and Sarah was the one looking out for people’s rights as she urged lawmakers, including North Dakota Rep. Kelly Armstrong, to vote no on KOSA. The government shouldn’t have the power to decide what content is dangerous to young people, she said, enabling censorship and endangering access to important resources, like gender identity support, mental health materials, and reproductive health care.
In the fall, Sarah will be attending Emory University in Atlanta. She plans on studying sociology and eventually pursing a law degree to become a civil rights attorney.
How did you get involved with the Advocacy Institute?
I found out about a “life-changing program” that “took place around July” from a girl I met at another program. She failed to mention the name, so I did some internet sleuthing until I found the Advocacy institute. I became quite excited that it was through the ACLU, and I applied that same day.
What was the most memorable part of the Advocacy Institute?
The people were, by far, the most memorable part of the advocacy institute. The fact that a North Dakota ghost town girl can spend a week bonding with a group of Orange County Cali kids then proceed to lobby her congressman with a 15-year-old from Alabama is out of this world. It really brings activists together.
Which of the ACLU’s issue areas are you particularly passionate about and why?
Civil liberties, capital punishment, and criminal law reform are the ACLU’s issue areas that I take the most interest in. The legal system has always interested me, and how it intersects with our lives – from legislation to death row – is particularly important in society.
What is your favorite way to get involved in your community?
Research, public speaking, writing — anything that involves language. The ability to change minds through words alone is fascinating, and it's an ability that I'm interested in fostering.
Do you consider yourself a changemaker?
Like most people, I’d like to think that I do my best to make a difference. Every small step makes for a large, ultimate path. I try to take the most feasible strides possible — as the saying goes “one foot in front of the other.”
Do you have any advice for someone who might be interested in getting more politically involved in their community?
Start small and work your way up. You wouldn't believe the impact local initiatives can have. Attend meetings, join a politically minded club, even just register to vote — all that makes a difference.
Which of the Constitution’s amendments are most important to you and why?
The Fourth Amendment is probably most important to me right now because of the attacks it’s been undergoing in the Supreme Court. The right to privacy is fundamental, and the poor rulings that have been made on it in recent years have significant ramifications for my generation.
What issues do you think are most important for North Dakotans to pay attention to?
I’ve found that North Dakotans are very locally minded — which isn't a bad thing whatsoever. However, due to our rural geography, I think we end up more isolated from statewide and national politics. I believe we could benefit from getting ourselves a little more invested in the broader democratic process.