A Sunday protest in Sioux Falls over the death of George Floyd morphed into a violent protest at a different location. A Facebook group called ‘Defend Rapid City Police Department’ has been created in anticipation of a second protest in Rapid City. More than 3,000 people have already joined with some threatening protesters with guns and others offering to guard police officers and businesses from attackers. However, there isn’t a confirmed protest planned in Rapid City.
A peaceful memorial walk and protest took place in Rapid City over the weekend. Rumors of a second are circulating in the Defend Rapid City Police Department group--including speculation that people might be traveling to different communities to stir up trouble. The Sioux Falls police department did not confirm busses of rioters. There isn’t confirmation of any sort of second protest happening in Rapid City this week.
About 30 members of the Facebook group met in person with a few Rapid City sheriff and police officers to discuss the group. Lieutenant Andy Becker asked them not to get involved.
“Trust me, I get the good intentions. You guys want to see the community safe as well. However, for us to be able to do our job, we can’t have groups fighting. That just causes…”
“Well we want to see you guys safe.”
“I agree and we want to be safe and that’s why we train..”
Becker says the department wants to bring community members together and if there is a clash between the groups, it would be more difficult for the police department to handle.
“Even these folks, they have a right to, what happened was a horrible deal, they have a right to speak out against it. But we are there to keep the community safe, the people safe.”
local businessmen Kenneth Dirk started the Defend Rapid City Police Department group. He says he planned to peacefully guard the police, and that members threatening protesters with guns don’t speak for him.
“Why don’t we get together and instead of everything being race, everything is race. It’s like you know what, I put my boots on one [at a] time, you put your shoes on one at a time. We’re alike in that way. Why don’t we focus on what we do together instead of what separates us.”
He says everyone agrees that the murder of George Floyd was wrong, and that this is about protecting businesses and lives.
"Everybody’s under a lot of stress. Everybody’s been locked up for three months. They’re unemployed. They've got all these problems and this doesn’t help. But what definitely doesn't help is tearing apart businesses and setting them on fire.”
The Rapid City and Police Department are prepared for any protests, but haven't confirmed rumors.