This interview is from SDPB's daily public-affairs show, In the Moment, hosted by Lori Walsh.
The grassroots organization Dakotans for Health is hosting a "Democracy Rally" this weekend in Sioux Falls. They're hoping to gain enough petition signatures to get several measures on the ballot for the 2022 election.
Rick Weiland is the founder of the organization. He says the initiatives include an effort to expand Medicaid coverage and require an independent redistricting process. Weiland says it’s a way for citizens to effect real change.
“South Dakota was the first state in the country to actually put into its constitution back in 1890, an opportunity for the citizens to organize, collect signatures, submit, petition their government, and put it on the ballot," he said. "We've seen a real effort a concerted effort by the legislature to try to undo that starting back in 2014.”
Weiland points to Amendment A as an example.
“Voters passed both medical and recreational cannabis reform last November. All of that should have been implemented the first of July of this year. And both are still illegal as of today. Under God, the people rule, that's our state motto, but our legislature has turned that state model into a joke.”
“UNDER GOD THE PEOPLE RULE” DEMOCRACY RALLY
Sunday, October 24th
2-4 pm
THE DEMOCRACY CENTER
1911 S. Minnesota Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD
PROGRAM
2-4:00 pm
Live Music from the Hegg Brothers
2:30-3pm
Speakers
3-7 pm
Hegg Brothers, Food, Volunteer Signup, Notaries Available, Phone Banking
