RAPID CITY, SD — NDN Collective Founder and CEO Nick Tilsen is set to enter court at the start of next week, following nearly two years after being charged by Rapid City Police with simple assault and obstruction of law enforcement, and eventually aggravated assault with a police officer.
These charges come following a 2022 Cop Watch, a legally permitted practice of observing police as they conduct public business which has its roots in the Black Panther Party, and has since become widespread among activists. During this watch, Tilsen encountered a police officer, Nicholas Glass, who approached a homeless individual and reported that he was observing from a distance and at no time came into contact with the police officer in question, being allowed to leave without charge or detainment at the time.
Later in 2023, over a year following the initial incident, charges were filed against Tilsen by the state of South Dakota. Prosecution has alleged that Tilsen had lurched his vehicle toward Glass in an attempt to cease police interaction with the individual. This charge came to Tilsen’s attention on the same day as NDN had announced its intention to host a protest in July. Of note is that during the leadup to this protest, city officials discouraged attendance due to a perceived potential for violence – though this protest was ultimately peaceful in nature.
This, along with continued legal issues encountered by NDN over the course of its existence, has members of the organization suspect of alternate motivations backing the charges. “NDN Collective believes this case to be a politically motivated effort to silence a movement leader by criminalizing his actions and misusing the legal system,” read an official statement by the organization. “The lengthy and convoluted nature of this case demonstrates how far those threatened by strong Indigenous leaders will go to try and silence us,” said Norma Rendon, a community leader with NDN. “We will not back down, and look forward to supporting Nick as he continues navigating the legal process”.
Tilsen is, under law, innocent until proven guilty, and the case is set to continue through the week. If found guilty, Tilsen could face up to 26 years in prison.
