SD prosecutors drop all charges against Indigenous activist

Source: Associated Press

SD prosecutors drop all charges against Indigenous activist

December 13, 2022

SIOUX FALLS S.D. (AP) — South Dakota prosecutors have dropped all charges against the head of an Indigenous-led advocacy organization stemming from a protest during then-President Donald Trump’s visit to Mount Rushmore, the group announced Tuesday.

NDN Collective President Nick Tilsen was among those arrested July 3, 2020, when the protest seeking return of the Black Hills to Lakota control escalated into a scuffle with law enforcement. The charges included robbery and assault of a law enforcement officer.

Tilsen agreed to participate in a diversion program rather than face prison time, but claimed prosecutors backed out of the agreement last year after he spoke to the media about it. In his motion for dismissal, Tilsen said his remarks were protected by the First Amendment.

Deputy State’s Attorney Colleen Moran filed the dismissal Nov. 18, court documents show.

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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-south-dakota-sioux-falls-law-enforcement-3d00447df393a607ea9529b8e65e30e7