Bill protesters at the capital last month
-Photo by Patrick Callahan
PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — Native American groups opposed to the Keystone XL pipeline protested at the Capitol Tuesday ahead of the House vote on Gov. Kristi Noem’s proposal to revitalize laws that punish people who “urge” rioting.
Nearly a dozen protesters chanted as they danced to a drumbeat and held banners to protest the so-called “riot boosting” laws.
Native American groups say the legislation aims to silence peaceful protests of the pipeline. The Republican governor argues that the bill would protect peaceful protests and only punish people who engage in violence.
The measure made it through the House on a 45-25 vote and now moves to the Senate. Both District 7 representatives, Tim Reed and Doug Post, voted in favor of the bill.