"No Kings" protests erupt in Rapid City

RAPID CITY, S.D. – Hundreds of demonstrations occurred across the US and abroad Saturday, in protest of the Trump Administration and what protestors have described as overreach in government. The “No Kings” Protests , organized by activist group 50-50-1, occurred at some 2,000 locations across the country. South Dakota was no exception, with protests in Rapid City, Spearfish, Pierre, Chamberlain, Watertown, Brookings, and Sioux Falls. In Rapid City, there was a protest held at City Hall, organized by Indivisible Rapid City, and one in Founders Park, organized by the local chapter of 50-50-1.

“Nobody’s supposed to have unchecked power in America,” said Hailey Dixon, a local protester, “Nobody is supposed to be above the people that they serve. That’s what politicians are supposed to be in this country. They’re supposed to represent the people of America and a king has never done that anywhere ever, so we’re not going to have it here.”

Indivisible Rapid City used the protest to gather donations for both Feeding South Dakota and Working Against Violence Inc., or WAVI, which provides transitional housing to those experiencing domestic violence. Each protester had their own message they wanted to get across, with many discussing cuts to veteran healthcare, expressing discontent with recent violence across the country, and immigration. Will Molina, a Mexican immigrant who has lived in Rapid City for the last 10 years, flew a Mexican flag to show pride for his heritage.

“Just because we still love our country, we love Mexico, doesn’t mean that we don’t love The States,” said Molina, “I just can’t fly the flag of The States right now, because I won’t wave it under him.”

The protest at city hall was originally scheduled from 12pm to 1:30pm, but was shifted to 1:15pm upon request by the Rapid City Police Department. While RCPT did not comment on the “No Kings” protest specifically, they did say “We’ll have appropriate resources available to ensure the rights to peaceful demonstration can be expressed unimpeded.”

The “No Kings” protest was the largest protest in Rapid City since the “Hands Off” protest back in April, which was also organized by 50-50-1 and Indivisible Rapid City. Indivisible Rapid City tries to organize protests outside city hall every Wednesday and Saturday. They post information to their facebook as it becomes available.