While many people were busy barbecuing and shooting off fireworks to celebrate Independence Day, hundreds gathered in Rapid City to make their voice heard on what they call excessive policing against the Native community.
The increased police presence was visibly apparent through the large protest, but there were no incidents of conflict between protesters and law enforcement. That’s despite the city issuing a warning the protest may pose a public safety hazard days prior.
The event was organized by Native advocacy organization NDN Collective as the “March Toward Justice.” Community elder Jean Roach said the turnout symbolizes decades of concern.
“The many many generations of abuse we’ve suffered in Rapid City – my mother and my grandmother - we’ve lived here," Roach said. "No matter what the city government says, this is the people. We are the people. We’re not the corporate government that gets paid to be there. We’re here because we’re here for our nation and our people – so there’s a difference of heart.”
That intergenerational frustration brought out the community’s youth too. One young organizer, Jaxsyn Claymore, said there’s power in shutting down a street.
“What brought me out today is the constant injustice that POC (People of color) get from the police," Claymore said. "It’s basically saying, ‘we will not be silenced, we will not be disregarded, we will not be ignored.’ And that warms my heart.”
Protesters made a collection of seven demands of local law enforcement, including the removal of school resource officers and the release of police body camera footage to the public.
Claymore has hope events like this will help white community members recognize their role in combating institutional racism.
