Pierre, S.D. ? American Indians protesting development encroaching on sacred Bear Butte peacefully confronted bikers gathering Friday for a raucous annual motorcycle rally.

The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which begins Monday, attracted 525,000 bikers last year. Commercial development near the mountain has been driven in large part by the event.

Indians have come to Bear Butte to pray, fast and have religious ceremonies for centuries but say noise from the bars, campgrounds and concert venues disrupts the peace.

A couple hundred protesters carried signs and chanted “Don’t ride 79” as they walked up to the Meade County Courthouse. State Highway 79 goes past the butte and the entertainment sites that are closest to it.

County commissioners have said they have no basis to deny issuing alcohol licenses and people have the right to use land as they see fit.