Peaceful Protesters March On Statehouse, Down Mass Ave Thursday

Lauren Bavis and Carter Barrett

For the seventh night in a row, protesters in Indianapolis marched against police brutality Thursday night. And while some protesters are pleased with the direction of new policies from IMPD and local leaders, they’re looking for more.

The case of Dreasjon Reed was a top focus as protesters marched towards the Statehouse.

Reed was shot May 6 while running from Indianapolis police following a car chase. Thursday afternoon, Rosemary Khoury, a deputy prosecutor in Madison County, was named the special prosecutor in the investigation of the shooting.

IMPD also said they are changing policies to be more transparent.
 
Erika Haskins, a leader of the march, says these are good first steps, but they’re looking for more.

“We have to see them being put in action. You can talk about it, but we need to see,” Haskins says. “We need to see you reprimanding the officer, we need to see exactly what you’re doing, policies being changed.”

Protesters also say they want the police officers’ names released and for the coroner to make public Reed’s autopsy report. They want the officers involved fired and chargedwith Reed’s murder, among other demands.

The march remained peaceful throughout the evening, and protests are planned throughout the weekend.

9 p.m.

The gathering of peaceful protesters walked down Massachusetts Avenue, calling to people seated at restaurants and watching from balconies, before heading back to Monument Circle as night fell.

A rainbow overlooking the circle. pic.twitter.com/uchFI6Vh2K

— Carter Barrett (@carter_barrett) June 5, 2020

The march’s organizers told the group they would need to maintain their energy through additional protests over the weekend. After holding a moment of silence, the attendees disbanded.

7 p.m.

The group stopped at University Park for a break and to take a knee, which has become a symbol of the recent protests.

Marchers stopped to rehydrate and are now taking a knee. pic.twitter.com/EFBmZZujRQ

— Carter Barrett (@carter_barrett) June 4, 2020

One marcher also read the demands of groups like Black Lives Matter Indianapolis related to the police shooting of Dreasjon Reed, including releasing the coroner's report and the names of the officers involved in the shooting, firing those officers and rewriting the city’s use-of-force policy.

“If we don't get it?” “Shut it down!”

The group then moved to Massachusetts Avenue.

6:30 p.m.

A group of more than 200 peaceful protesters marched on the Statehouse, which is surrounded by dozens of National Guard troops and additional law enforcement with batons and at least one police dog. 

Multiple protesters spoke using megaphones, leading chants of “What time is it? It’s time to get loud, it’s time to represent.”

The protest then moved North on Capitol Avenue.

The scene that’s unfolding right now. pic.twitter.com/G8gIALx1xS

— Carter Barrett (@carter_barrett) June 4, 2020

pic.twitter.com/aty0FKmFa7

— Carter Barrett (@carter_barrett) June 4, 2020

6 p.m.

More than 200 people gathered at Monument Circle Thursday evening, nearly a week after protests first started in downtown Indianapolis in response to police violence, including the police shooting of Dreasjon Reed.

The group began marching toward the Statehouse around 6 p.m.

There are people here with Youth For Christ pressure cleaning the sidewalk. pic.twitter.com/Kanh6nuuGw

— Carter Barrett (@carter_barrett) June 4, 2020

One of the organizers says the march tonight is going to the statehouse, they’re warning protesters to not to break windows or they’ll “get shot.” @WFYINews

— Carter Barrett (@carter_barrett) June 4, 2020

18-year-old Breanna came out to the protest because she says she wants to do more than advocate online. pic.twitter.com/i76iHTvYpz

— Carter Barrett (@carter_barrett) June 4, 2020

Reed was shot May 6 while running from Indianapolis police following a car chase. Thursday afternoon, Rosemary Khoury, a deputy prosecutor in Madison County, was named the special prosecutor in the investigation of the shooting.

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett also said Thursday that the city will dismantle and remove a monument to Confederate soldiers in Garfield Park.

This story will be updated.