Protests calling for the shutdown of migrant detention centers took place across the country yesterday. In Rapid City, nearly 30 people gathered on the corner of a crowded street to oppose what they call ‘human rights violations’ against children in the camps.
One protester, Lilias Jarding, speaks to a man explaining the widely circulating photograph a father and daughter who drowned near the border.
Man: “But if you listen to the wife’s testimony, she would say they didn't have—”
Couple in Car: “Trump! Trump! Trump!
Jarding: “That’s not really the issue that we’re here for. We’re here because our people are being kept in cages.”
An adult couple chants in support of President Trump as they pass the group holding signs outside of Representative Dusty Johnson’s office. This protest some drew contention.
Some people in disagreement gave the thumbs town, made an obscene gestures or yelled from their cars. Protesters responded to many of these comments and other passers by honked and gave the thumbs up. Karissa Loewen organized the event.
“I wish that we could move beyond partisan politics and recognize that children are innocent. They need to be cared for and I hope that congress can do the same.”
Loewen says she chose to hold the protest outside of the representative's office hoping he would advocate for the children.
“We need to take a good look as a country at why we think it’s ok to treat some children the way that they’ve been treated, which to my amounts to torcher.”
Letters opposing the camps were available for people to send to their local representatives. Dawn Arkinson says the migrant camps remind her of Native American Boarding Schools and Holocaust Concentration Camps.
Arkinson: “And I think that in today’s America—”
People in Passing Car “Whoo, illegal immigration!”
Arkinson: “It’s just shocking that things like this are still happening.”
Arkinson says immigration has been happening in the United States and Black Hills for hundreds of years.