Governor activates National Guard in response to violence in Sioux Falls

A large peaceful protest took place in Sioux Falls Sunday for those marching in support of George Floyd, who died in Minneapolis last week.  An officer there has been charged in causing his death.  Sunday’s protest started in VanEps Park near downtown Sioux Falls and people marched to different locations.  

Some of that group continued to march through Sioux Falls, making their way to the Empire Mall.  That’s when things turned violent and some of the protestors threw rocks at business windows and law enforcement.  Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken declared an emergency in the city and issued a curfew until 7:00 Monday morning.  He characterized the night as two different events, with the peaceful protest earlier in the evening being essentially a separate event than the violence that escalated outside the Empire Mall.  

Governor Kristi Noem activated the South Dakota National Guard once things started to turn violent in Sioux Falls. 

Noem said that rights need to be protected.

Noem said that the Guard was there to support local authorities.

Noem said the National Guard was armed and will be available as long as they are needed.  She also said that Guard units are ready to deploy to other areas of the state if needed.

(Thanks in part, WNAX)