Thousands Protest Racial Injustice At Indiana Statehouse, On City Streets

ERIC WEDDLE, JAKE HARPER & DOUG JAGGERS

After a week of protests over police brutality and racial injustice, Indianapolis organizers built capacity and support that resulted in thousands rallying peacefully Saturday at the Statehouse and later marching through downtown. Their efforts through the past week also drew Mayor Joe Hogsett to take the mic at the rally and face many attendees that criticize his oversight of policing in the city.

Saturday’s protest also brought attention to last weekend’s unsolved shooting death of Chris Beaty, a former Indiana football player who was killed March 30 during a night of riots. Organizers demanded help in solving the 38-year-old’s death.

"I do not want his life, his legacy, to be lost in the translation of what you guys are fighting for today,” Ashley Gurvitz said to hundreds of marchers near where Beaty was killed at Talbot and Vermont streets. “If you know something, you see something that was crazy ... you better start speaking up. If you don't know nothing, how you can help keep his legacy alive is by loving someone that is different than you. Let that be the reason for this march tonight."

The day appeared to draw the largest and most diverse groups yet. Talking through bullhorns, organizers shouted that everyone attending must speak out against police brutality no matter who it happens to -- including black, foregin, gay or trans people.

“If you stand in solidarity with us, put your fist up,” said Jae, a member of Indy10 Black Lives Matter, as she and other organizers stood in front of the City-County Building and hundreds cheered and stuck their fists into the air. “We need to stand in solitary when they kill one of us. This is an everyday thing. This goes for our fellow black people, this goes for people of color. This goes for our allies. If you see something, speak up!”

Saturday’s demonstrations began at the Statehouse, an event organized by the local Black Women In Charge group, where thousands of people filled the south lawn and spilled onto the sidewalks and streets. Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and U.S. Rep. Andre Carson (D-Indianapolis) addressed the crowd.

Carson praised Hogsett for revising “his standards for law enforcement.” Carson said he would introduce legislation for police dash cameras and body cameras in the next two weeks.

“After I listen, I need to act,” Hogsett told the crowd. “And if I don’t you need to hold me accountable.”

Last week Hogsett and IMPD Chief Randal Talyor said new policies would be drafted for IMPD, including a new use-of-force plan and violence de-escalation training. They are also moving toward requiring body camera video for officers.

No police video exists of the fatal IMPD shooting of Dreasjon “Sean” Reed, the  21-year old black man killed last month, as the department does not require it. Protesters demand the name of the officer who shot Reed and independent oversight of the investigation into the death.

A judge appointed an independent prosecutor Friday. But not everyone agrees Hogsett is listneing.

James Wilson, CEO of Circle Up Indy, one of those who stood up at the City-County Building to speak, says he wants more from the Mayor’s Office.

“I would say the mayor, to me, hasn't really been listening,” Wilson says. “The chief has been listening. I've worked with him. But the mayor doesn't listen to the people. He really can’t listen to his administration to know what is going on. We’ve been telling them for years what is going on, but they continue to ignore us.”

Some protesters say they believe a tipping point emerged -- a time when elected officials and law enforcement finally accept systematic racism and must now work to address it.

Akilyah Carpenter, 23, had never protested until Saturday. On the Statehouse lawn, she held a small white megaphone and demanded justice and understanding. She says one day, this moment will be written in history books.

“We never got to do this during the Jim Crow laws. Never. This is a part of history. You can't have this on TV and have it recorded on social media and think it's not gonna make it in the history books,” she says. “It's time to be the change we need to see. And that's what we're doing out here.”

Camille Vann, a 21-year-old Purdue University student from Avon, says her generation has had enough of racial injustice.

“We've lived through a lot of terrible things, I feel. A lot of people have too, but we need a new system, and we need a new America,” she says. “So that's what this generation is gonna do, I believe it.”

Protesters marched the street for about two hours after the mayor-ordered 8 p.m. curfew. There were no clashes between police and protesters at the time of this report. 

The following is coverage published during the protest Saturday night. 

Reporting started at 3 p.m., this post was last updated at 8:01 p.m.

Thousands of protesters gathered for a sit-in at the Indiana Statehouse to bring attention to the case of Dreasjon “Sean” Reed, the 21-year old black man shot by Indianapolis police last month, and the history of black people killed by police officers, nationally. 

On Friday, Indianapolis police leaders said they are now drafting a new use-of-force policy. That's one of the similar demands heard across the country from protesters who want reform and accountability of local police forces.

Today's protests come in wake of renewed attention on the Circle City. A video that captured a woman being struck with batons by IMPD officers attracted widespread outrage online. IMPD is now investigating the officers seen striking the woman from the video. 

A mayoral curfew order for the city is set for 8 p.m. and end at 6 a.m. Sunday.

Here's the latest:

8:01 p.m.

As the curfew goes into effect, hundreds are still marching through downtown Indianapolis. Police are giving the protesters space. IMPD Chief Randal Taylor said earlier this week, police would allow protests past curfew, if they remained peaceful.

Protesters continue to march in Indianapolis as curfew starts. Marchers told to film, livestream. I’ve seen a number of officers out on empty streets away from the march. https://t.co/WMyvIKzvPy

— ericweddle (@ericweddle) June 7, 2020

7:50 p.m.

Protesters have congregated at Monument Circle after marching through downtown Indianapolis. With Marion County's 8 p.m. curfew approaching, organizers invite participants to leave if they want, but many also say the march will continue. They ask "agitators" to leave and encourage protesters to have phones ready in case there are confrontations with police.

Ppl invited to leave but will march beyond curfew pic.twitter.com/nV50jMMzRf

— Jake Harper (@jkhrpr) June 6, 2020

6:50 p.m.

With a little more than an hour left before curfew begins, protesters march to the front of the City-County Building. Last weekend's conflicts with police started here, but there is no confrontation today. Organizers tell the marchers that they needed to demand the public hold police accountable, and encouaged them to have the "uncomfortable conversations" that can bring about change.

At Indianapolis City-County Building moments ago... pic.twitter.com/HJgNUVHY3u

— ericweddle (@ericweddle) June 6, 2020

Protesters now in front of City-County Building. Calls from organizers to stay on street, away from the building. “It’s our duty to stand up for one another.” pic.twitter.com/DsfJGE87lK

— ericweddle (@ericweddle) June 6, 2020

“We’ve been having broken promises for far too long,” In front of the city count building. “You have to have those uncomfortable conversations” pic.twitter.com/oGzUub3zKE

— Jake Harper (@jkhrpr) June 6, 2020

6:40 p.m.

Protesters marching through Indianapolis are dealing with temperatures near 90 degrees. Organizers are reminding partipants to drink plenty of fluids. At least one marcher collapsed in the heat. She was tended to by medics, and appears to be OK.  

Protesters marching through downtown, massive group getting water at New York & Alabama pic.twitter.com/f2dmg6qIAq

— ericweddle (@ericweddle) June 6, 2020

5:47 p.m.

Some protesters are beginning to leave the Statehouse lawn and march through the streets of Indianapolis.

Crowd Chanting while heading north on Meridian. Disrupting by blocking the intersection. “Whose streets? Our streets.” pic.twitter.com/kXrvmB8JTv

— Jake Harper (@jkhrpr) June 6, 2020

Turning up mass ave. “If we don’t get it... shut it down” pic.twitter.com/aMXKSu5ala

— Jake Harper (@jkhrpr) June 6, 2020

5:15 p.m.

Representatives of Black Women In Charge, organizers of tonight's sit-in at the Statehouse, read a wide range of demands for Indiana Gov. Eric and Holcomb, and for Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill to investigatie IMPD and various deaths, including Dreasjon “Sean" Reed. Black Women in Charge is a local group focused on legislative change.

The sit in at the Indiana Statehouse is still going on. Taking to people and hearing a mix of anger, sadness, and hope & excitement that change will happen. One woman told me she knows her child will read about this moment in history books. pic.twitter.com/88ZQEmetnT

— ericweddle (@ericweddle) June 6, 2020

5:00 p.m.

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and U.S. Rep. Andre Carson (D-Indianapolis) address the crowd at the Statehouse. Hogsett says he has been listening and is there to listen today. Then, he vows to act. Carson says he will introduce legislation for dashboard cameras and body cameras for police. Last month, IMPD Randal Taylor said there is no police dash cam or body video in the Dreasjon Reed case.

3:45 p.m.

The crowd of protesters at the Indiana Statehouse continues to grow, spilling off of the lawn and into the sidewalks surrounding it. It's estimated the number is now in the thousands.

This crowd is massive. Can’t really estimate size but easily thousands here. My section is chanting “no justice no peace.” No one can hear the main speakers from this distance. pic.twitter.com/xGYLtY3Ayn

— Jake Harper (@jkhrpr) June 6, 2020

3:30 p.m

The protesters observe a moment of silence for George Floyd, who was killed by a white Minneapolis officer on May 25, and Dreasjon Reed, who was shot and killed by an Indianapolis police officer on May 6.

Huge crowd in Indianapolis covering the south lawn of Statehouse. In silence most took a knee. pic.twitter.com/7YLeRrI6zD

— ericweddle (@ericweddle) June 6, 2020

3:25 p.m.

Hundreds of protesters have gathered on the south lawn of the Indiana Statehouse for a sit-in. Social media posts show the lawn almost completely filled, as participants continue to arrive. With tempratures pushing 90 degrees, some people are passing out water. Other groups are registering people to vote.