Organizers from N-D-N Collective helped block a road the Mt. Rushmore Friday prior to a visit by President Donald Trump. NDN Collective is a Rapid City based nonprofit that aids Indigenous communities across the country. Nick Tilsen is the founder of N-D-N and also the Thunder Valley housing development. He is facing felony and misdemeanor charges and up to 12 years in prison.
On Friday, protesters physically clashed with the National Guard and Pennington County Sheriff's Office in a struggle over blocking the road. Some protesters were sprayed with pepper spray or in close range of pepper balls. At one point, a National Guard police shield was spray painted with the words “land back” before it was returned.
Nick Tilsen was arrested with 20 other people during the demonstration. Most were released on bail over the weekend. Tilsen wasn’t released until Monday because he’s facing two felony charges. One for allegedly stealing a police shield and another for making the Guard member who’s shield was taken “fear for her life”. Other state charges include disorderly conduct, impeding the highway and unlawful assembly. Nick Tilsen’s father, Mark Tilsen spoke about the charges after the bail hearing.
“We’ve got a fair bond set and Nick will be out soon. I think that was a positive thing. I think it would be disingenuous to say when a judge says your son is facing 10 years in prison that that doesn't have an effect on you. But Nick is carrying on a very deep, patriotic, American tradition of civil disobedience in calling for people’s rights.”
The protest was organized in conjunction with teenage leaders from the Pine Ridge Reservation. Mark Tilsen says Nick helped them get their message across.
“His whole life whether it was his little league team or the kids in his neighborhood, he’s always looked out for the people around him. And now as an accomplished leader, he really knows how to stop and listen and make sure that those youths' words are heard and that they’re empowered to speak. He really created that space for them and as a father it makes you really proud that he walks the talk and that he’s really dedicated to these youth.”
A trial for the charges against Nick Tilsen has not been set.