June 3, 2020

RAPID CITY SD — Police arrested five protesters who were blocking traffic and laying in the street in downtown Rapid City on Tuesday night; it started out as a peaceful protest, but was later declared an unlawful assembly.

In a social media post on Facebook last night, Rapid City Chief of Police Karl Jegeris said the traffic blockage attempts happened near the area of 6th and St Joseph.

After the five arrests were made, Jegeris said the event was declared to be an unlawful assembly, in order to prevent crime, violence and possible damage to property.

Around 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, police cruisers were seen around 6th and St Joseph; down the street at the Pennington County Administration Building, sheriffs deputies in body armor were on watch at the street corners as vote-counting continued at the auditors’ office.