Rally held in downtown Rapid City to support racial unity

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) – About 50 people turned out for a weekend rally in downtown Rapid City to support racial unity.

Racial tensions were exacerbated by reports of Native American children being subjected to racial slurs and sprayed with beer at a minor league hockey game in Rapid City in late January. Oglala Sioux tribal leaders are now pushing the board of the annual Lakota Nation Invitational basketball tournament in Rapid City to move it to a different city.

Rapid City salon owner Dennis Halterman organized the Sunday rally and billed it “All People’s Gathering for the Children.” Several speakers talked about mending racial relations and moving the community forward. Among the speakers were a lesbian couple who said discrimination isn’t limited to race.