The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) plans to close its Bemidji office by the end of the month because of budget cutbacks.
The Bemidji Pioneer reported the ACLU is tightening budgets across the state and all staff will be taking a pay cut. The office will officially close Oct. 31.
The office worked during the last nine years to reduce racial disparities faced by communities of color, notably the American Indian population, in Beltrami, Becker, Cass, Clearwater, Hubbard, Itasca and Mahnomen counties, as well as the Red Lake, White Earth and Leech Lake nations.
Unlike many nonprofit organizations, the ACLU is not eligible for government grants.
