PIERRE, S.D. (KELO.com) — A small group of protesters rallied inside the State Capitol in Pierre on Tuesday, chanting “Kristi Noem, we are not a riot.”
They were protesting the Governor’s new riot boosting legislation, aimed at violence at public protests.
South Dakota tribal leaders and the ACLU oppose the bill, claiming it will squelch free speech. The state’s tribes oppose pipelines, including the Keystone XL pipeline that could soon be constructed across South Dakota.
Parts of Noem’s pipeline protest plan last year were declared unconstitutional. She says this new bill answers those concerns.
(Patrick Callahan, South Dakota Broadcasters Association, contributed to this report)