A new policy in Rapid City has some community members fearing erasure. Under the proposal, the use of banners on downtown streetlamps would be restricted to purely governmental use, which has local pride groups in arms.
Resolution 2025-042 stops the use of the banners downtown by private entities. Further, it regulates what could be put up, mandating it “promote civic unity.”
In turn local pride groups say this proposal, while not explicitly banning anything, effectively eliminates any chance for visible pride banners in public spaces downtown.
One resident who spoke at the most recent meeting of city council was local activist Monique Mousseau.
“Me and my wife are going to be here. We want to get along – we have to get along – please," Mousseau said. "On behalf of our grandchildren and yours, vote no on this. Stop restricting, stop trying to control. We’ve got to get along in this community. Thank you very much, wopila.”
Ward 2 councilor Bill Evans said his initial question was one of cost of labor, but his perspective has shifted.
“Now that I look at the resolution, I can see what so many of our constituents in the city have pointed out – this could easily be weaponized if they chose to do it based upon who’s sitting in these seats, who’s sitting in the mayor’s office, who’s sitting in the city attorney’s seat," Evans said. "It’s generic in such a way that it could be distorted and again weaponized to hurt people.”
Display banners with messaging of “Rapid City Vs. Racism” have been on city light poles.
Critics also raised concerns about a double standard — for example, the city displaying religious symbolism around Christmastime.
Ward 1 councilor Jesse Ham said the ordinance represents the city's best option moving forward.
“There’s probably no way for the city to win if we allow all sorts of different folks to have their opinions put up on city property," Ham said. "It’s an all or nothing issue, and I think it’s actually drafted well so we can say it’s city of government entities that are involved.”
The proposal was approved on a 7-3 vote.