The promise of a peaceful protest turned out to be just that in Pierre yesterday evening– peaceful.
Local, county and state law enforcement and members of the 235th South Dakota National Guard Military Police stood ready at the State Capitol Building and throughout Pierre concentrating on keeping the peace and protecting the protesters’ right to gather, amid rumors of potential unrest.
The greatest concentration was around the Capitol and the Governor’s residence. Heavily armed state troopers surrounded the Capitol with rifle teams ready on the roof.
The peaceful protest began around 5pm CDT and lasted until dark. The initial crowd was roughly 60, with a smaller group of about 25 continuing their protest into nightfall.
A small group of local business owners and others were armed and standing outside several businesses in downtown Pierre, their legal sidearms clearly visible. Pierre Police and SDNG Military Police stood post just up the block.
Rumors of unrest and destruction like that seen in Sioux Falls Sunday night had both local citizens and state officials worried. State offices sent employees home early, some businesses in Pierre closed early and others didn’t open for the evening as rumors circulated widely throughout the day.
Peaceful protest in Pierre photos June 1, 2020:
Morning after the peaceful protest in Pierre June 2, 2020:
