The 57 students from the American Horse School on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota have seen support from across the globe. Collage by Kelsey Mackin

A non-Indian man goes on trial today in connection with the racist mistreatment of Indian children in South Dakota.

The 57 young members of the Oglala Sioux Tribe were subjected to racial taunts at a Rapid City Rush hockey game in January. Some had beer poured onto them from a luxury suite above their seats.

Only one person, however, has been charged in connection with the incident. Trace O’Connell, 41, faces one count of disorderly conduct.

The trial is taking place before a judge rather than a jury. The proceedings are being held Performing Arts Center to accommodate for a potentially large turnout.

The trial is expected to last two days.

Get the Story:
South Dakota man heads to trial in harassment of Indian kids (AP 7/22)
Nearly No Consequences For Drunk Executives Who Poured Beer On Native American Children’s Heads (Think Progress 7/22)
Racial incident trial expected to draw large crowd (KOTA 7/20)

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