In 2023, Nick Tilsen pulled over to conduct a routine cop watch where a Native unhoused relative was being stopped by Rapid City Police (RCPD) in Rapid City, South Dakota.

A year later from that cop watch, Nick received notice that he was being charged with aggravated assault and obstruction of a police officer from the incident. The officer wasn’t touched at all, no physical harm caused to any officer in this incident, and there is video evidence that proves Nick is innocent.

Nick is being systematically targeted as an Indigenous movement leader, local prosecutors intentionally sought out the police officer named in this case and encouraged him to press charges. The charges brought against Nick are false and inflated to criminalize, silence, and ultimately isolate him from his community through imprisonment.

Nick is being targeted by RCPD because he has unapologetically stood on his values and has called for accountability and justice for people harmed by police in Rapid City. This is a continuation of the American legacy of vilifying Indigenous people and the legal system targeting and over-criminalizing Indigenous movement leaders.

NDN Collective has been pushing for a federal investigation into the Rapid City Police Department for over 3 years for this exact issue. This fight is bigger than just Nick Tilsen. It’s about protecting movement leaders, movement organizations, our right to free speech, and to demand justice for those harmed by colonized white supremacist systems and structures.  

Nick is a devoted father, son, uncle, spiritual helper, mentor, and leader respected by his elders, the broader movement, and Indigenous Peoples’. This is his legacy - they won't define or diminish it. This is a violation of constitutional and human rights.

Here are a few ways you can support Nick Tilsen:

1. Sign this Petition (& encourage others to sign)

2. Donate to the NDN Legal Fund

3. Call or email the Pennington County States Attorney’s office asking them to drop the charges: Phone: (605) 394-2191 OR send an email using this link

4. Share this information with a friend or on social media to bring attention to the injustices happening in South Dakota