Roughly 100 people took part in a peaceful march against racism in Rapid City this Thursday afternoon.
Protestors expressed anger over what they see as unfair treatment of Native people in the justice system and unfair economic conditions.
Marchers included 77 year old Dennis Banks-who was a founding member of the American Indian Movement.
Banks took part in the Wounded Knee occupation of 1973 and says he’s had to come back to Rapid City too often over the years to join in protest marches like this.
“This is probably my 10th time to have to come and march in Rapid City against racism. Of course not everybody in Rapid City is racist. We know that. But there is no voice from, no voice from state officials, state legislators, senators that say nothing against racism, then it gives license to those people to commit acts of violence,” says Banks.
A series of public meetings and events are planned in Rapid City in the coming weeks all aimed at combating racism.
That includes an event titled “Rapid City All People’s Gathering for the Children” It’s planned for Main Street Square this Sunday afternoon March 1st. The event was organized by a non-native downtown business owner.
