INDIANAPOLIS - Just two hours after the IndyPride Parade started at 10am, thousands of protesters took to the Indiana Statehouse, just steps away from Mass Ave.
The "No Kings" protest, part of a nationwide day of demonstrations, called out the administration of President Donald Trump for authoritarian behaviors.
Protesters voiced a range of concerns, including ICE's raids and separation of families, the deployment of the Marines to protests in Los Angeles, cuts to Medicare, and continued funding to Israel.
They also criticized Trump’s military parade, held on his birthday--the same day as the protest--saying it's an unnecessary expense for taxpayers.
Despite VBN noticing an unusually high police presence at the IndyPride Parade, VBN did not notice any police at the protest.
Notably, due to the targeted assassination of Minnesota Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband by a suspect impersonating a police officer, the protest in Northeast Minneapolis was canceled.
Axios reports the suspect has been identified as Vance Luther Boelter, who had a manifesto with a list of other Democratic lawmakers.
Protesters held a moment of silence for Hortman.
The protest started at noon, two hours after the IndyPride Parade began. A white tent with the red letters "FDT" printed on top sat on the Statehouse steps, supported by two wooden beams.
A blue tent was set up just below the stairs, so the media could set up their equipment before it rained later.
Protesters begun by picking up a whistle from a bucket, with the announcement that if anything was to happen, for our safety, blow the whistle so volunteers, who wore yellow armbands, would know. The volunteers emphasized safety as a priority.
Afterwards, the protesters marched around the Statehouse, holding signs and American flags, responding to chants of "America has?" and "America wants?" with "No kings!" as some commuters honked twice as the protesters said "No kings!" in support.
When the group reconvened in the lawn, people were called to speak. State representatives, former Marines, and a school principal were just a few who spoke, with two additional marches, one in the middle and one in the end.
Just before the second protest, it started to rain, with the rain becoming heavier until a few minutes after the protest ended. However, the majority of the crowd remained in the rain.
Those who didn't stay in the rain continued protesting from their cars and trucks, driving in circles around the Statehouse, honking and holding their protest signs out their windows.
The protest ended at 3pm.
More Photos
Check for The 8
Comments
Post a Comment
You must have a Google account to make a comment on VBN. All comments are moderated by VBN before publication.
An approved comment doesn't imply VBN's sponsorship, endorsement, promotion, stance, or opinion of its contents.
Commenting is a privilege provided at VBN's discretion.