Rapid City Mayor Allender Issues Public Safety Message Ahead Of Tuesday's Planned Downtown March

Mayor Steve Allender earlier today issued the following public safety message ahead of a protest march scheduled for downtown Rapid City on the July 4th Independence Day holiday:

 As America celebrates its Independence Day, local communities like ours are often overburdened with police, fire, and ambulance calls for service.

      Public safety is a major responsibility of government, and to that end, certain precautions are in order for this Independence Day holiday.

      A local activist group, NDN Collective, is organizing a protest march to begin at 4:00 pm on July 4th. The march is reported to begin near the intersection of East Boulevard and Kansas City St., near downtown.

      The City has a permitting system that allows entities to work with the City to find solutions for marching routes, blocking of traffic when necessary and securing other resources when appropriate. NDN Collective has not applied for a permit, and has resisted cooperating with the City in the past.  Likewise, NDN is not cooperating on the upcoming march.

      We anticipate the marchers will proceed onto busy public roadways and unlawfully block traffic. This in itself creates a public safety hazard.

     NDN has recently been holding training seminars to teach others how to protest through the use of “blockades, tactical media” and “climbing.”

     NDN has previously been associated with criminal activity, such as blocking public roads and highways, disorderly conduct and trespassing on and seizing private property. 

     The City of Rapid City supports and defends the US Constitution, including the First Amendment right to free speech, expression and right to assemble. It is important to note, however, that one person’s free speech cannot create a public safety hazard for other citizens. A major public demonstration such as this can cause a public safety hazard and cause the taxpayers to incur expenses of tens of thousands of dollars or more.

     In addition to the expense, it will also result in the depletion of law enforcement resources and potential obstruction of fire and ambulance service. This can create a hazardous situation during the Independence Day holiday. 

     The City is asking the community to exercise good judgment and obey all laws. We also need the public’s help deterring criminal behavior by paying particular attention to your own building, and the buildings in your immediate vicinity, especially buildings that would provide ease of access for climbers.

      The City is also asking NDN Collective to observe all laws and refrain from endangering the safety and lives of innocent citizens.  

Please report any suspicious behavior by calling:

Emergencies: 911 

Non-emergency: 605-394–4131 

Send an anonymous tip by texting ‘RCPD’ to 847411