Parents of Lakota 57 respond to not guilty verdict in Rapid City

The following is the text of a statement posted by The Lakota 57, a Facebook page started by some of parents from the Oglala Sioux Tribe whose children were victimized at a hockey game in Rapid City, South Dakota, on January 25, 2015.

Folks, today Judge Strawn issued a decision finding that the single defendant charged, Trace O'Connell, was not guilty of disorderly conduct when he poured beer, threw foreign objects at and physically threatened young children within his reach.

The Judge felt that causing many children to be doused with beer while yelling "you should be able to cheer louder than that. You're from the reservation" was not racist or violent but "celebratory." The judge made every effort to place the verdict on the people with the children who protected the children from further harm.

http://www.indianz.com/News/2015/018770.asp