George Floyd protests in Indiana explained

George Floyd protests in Indiana
Partof:George Floyd protests
Date:May 28 – July 2020
Place: Indiana, United States
Causes:

This is a list of George Floyd protests in Indiana, United States. As of July 2020, protests had occurred in at least 25 communities throughout the state.

Locations

Anderson

More than 100 people attended a march through downtown and congregated at the Anderson Police Department headquarters on May 30. After midnight, a car window was broken and water bottles were thrown at police, but no injuries were reported.[1] [2]

Avon

Nearly 500 people gathered on June 11 for a peaceful protest organized by recent grads and current high school students outside Avon Town Hall. Roughly a dozen speakers spoke at the event.[3] [4]

Bedford

More than 100 protesters gathered at the Lawrence County Courthouse Square for a rally on June 7. Some passersby attempted to drown out the rally with music, but the gathering was peaceful.[5]

Bloomington

Thousands attended a rally that began on the Indiana University campus and ended in downtown Bloomington on June 5.[6] During a protest on July 6, a 66-year-old woman was arrested for driving a car into protesters, causing two injuries.[7]

Bluffton

On June 6, a group of protesters demonstrated in support of Black Lives Matter in front of the Wells County Courthouse.[8]

Brownsburg

Several hundred people gathered on June 11 for a peaceful protest that included a lineup of speakers on the lawn outside the Brownsburg town hall. The crowd was bigger than expected.[3] [4]

Carmel

Hundreds of protesters attended a peaceful march downtown on June 1.[9] Hundreds attended a sit in and march at the gazebo hosted by Carmel Against Racial Injustice (CARI) on June 14. CARI also hosted a chalking event and march on July 11.

Columbus

A solidarity rally was held on June 4 with hundreds marching from the Bartholomew County Courthouse to Columbus City Hall.[10]

Crawfordsville

More than 100 demonstrators met to protest racial injustice on June 6. The protesters performed a lie-in for eight minutes and 46 seconds before marching through downtown Crawfordsville. The gathering remained peaceful.[11]

Crown Point

On June 1, about 40 protesters gathered at the city's square to support Black Lives Matter. As they marched north, they were met by a group of men carrying rifles. Crown Point police escorted the protesters back to the square.[12]

Elkhart

On June 11, over 100 protesters sang the Michael Jackson song "Man in the Mirror" as they marched through downtown Elkhart to Civic Plaza to show solidarity with Black Lives Matter and George Floyd.[13]

Evansville

On May 30, a rally being held downtown gathered a crowd of 300. The rally was mostly peaceful, but four protesters were arrested in the evening.[14]

Fort Wayne

On May 29, hundreds gathered outside the Allen County Courthouse in a peaceful demonstration that turned violent after police fired off tear gas in response to protesters blocking traffic by sitting in the road at Clinton and Main Street, refusing to move. Some establishments were vandalized.[15] [16]

Gary

Around 200 demonstrators gathered outside city hall in June. The family of Rashad Cunningham, who was killed by Gary police in 2019, were in attendance.[17]

Goshen

On May 31, demonstrators marched from the Elkhart County Courthouse down Main Street to honor George Floyd and David McAtee. No violence or injuries were reported.[18]

Greenfield

About 200 people demonstrated in support of racial justice at the Hancock County courthouse on June 4. The group was met by a small group of counter-protesters, but the event remained peaceful.[19]

Greenwood

A few hundred people came together at a park in Greenwood on Friday, June 12.[20]

Hammond

Several hundred people attended a rally organized by "Black Lives Matter-Gary" outside the Hammond Police Station on May 30.[21]

Indianapolis

On May 29, a protest began at Monument Circle to rally against the murder of George Floyd, as well as Dreasjon Reed, who had been killed by Indianapolis police earlier that month. The disorganized protest grew violent after dark, with some protesters breaking windows of businesses. The Key Bank at Market Tower was vandalized, fires were set in trash cans, and numerous stores were looted. Several officers were injured.[22] [23] Tear gas and rubber bullets were used to disperse crowds. Mayor Joe Hogsett condemned the riots while sympathizing with the anger that fueled it.[23] During the night of May 30, three people were killed and two more injured in several shootings.[24] [25] On June 1, roughly 200 protesters marched to the Indiana Governor's Residence north of downtown Indianapolis, where, an hour after the city-mandated curfew, they were twice ordered to disperse and were faced with 50 police officers armed with zip ties, batons, and tear gas. However, one protester began peacefully conversing with officers, who then removed their riot gear and showed solidarity with the protesters, walking with them for one block and some sharing hugs with protesters. The event drew criticism from some protesters, with one tweeting, "We don't shake hands with the enemy."[26]

On June 8, protesters at Monument Circle were struck by a minivan that drove into the crowd. Some protesters attacked the minivan, which drove away with some damage. At least four injuries were reported.[27] The driver, 68-year-old Diane Goebel, was charged with criminal recklessness on June 12.[28]

As of June 11, Indianapolis had seen 14 consecutive days of demonstrations.[29] As of June 16, smaller daily protests were still occurring downtown.[30]

Kokomo

A former correctional officer injured two people in a hit-and-run against a group of protesters on May 30. Protesters blocked streets on June 1 and demanded consequences for the driver, who was arrested and charged with three counts the next day.[31] [32]

Lafayette

Around 1,200 protested at a peaceful march on May 31. Despite a largely peaceful protest, minor vandalism occurred and tear gas and rubber bullets were fired without warning.[33] Protests in following days were smaller and more unruly, with five arrests and significantly more police force being used.[34]

Marion

Two high school students joined the national protest on Friday, May 29. By Saturday May 30, 40 other protesters had joined them. By Sunday, May 31 more than 100 protesters had gathered outside the courthouse.[35]

Martinsville

Around 80 people met at the Morgan County courthouse square to protest in support of Black Lives Matter on June 7. The group was met by at least 30 counter-protesters, some of whom were armed.[5]

Michigan City

Around 200 people congregated for a planned protest on May 31. Participants marched to the city's police station, guided by a planned police presence. The protest was largely peaceful, though by nightfall, violence had broken out at Lighthouse Premium Outlet Mall. Windows at the mall were broken, and reports were made of bottles being thrown at police.[36] The chief of police and mayor both acknowledged the demonstrators who protested in peace.[37]

Mishawaka

Around 30 people protested at the Main Street bridge on July 4. A car drove through the protesters, dragging one of them 50 feet.[38]

Mooresville

More than 100 protesters met for a March on the Suburbs event on July 3 and were met by a group of counter-protesters, some of whom were armed.[39]

Muncie

Thousands marched from the Ball State University campus to Muncie City Hall on June 4, forming one of the largest protests in city history.[40]

New Albany

On June 13, over 300 protesters marched to the City-County building in New Albany. Protesters knelt or laid down for 8'45". Notable attendees included local clergy, the chief of police and the mayor.[41]

Plainfield

About 100 people met for a March on the Suburbs event at town hall on July 4 and were met by a group of counter-protesters wielding at least two long rifles.[42]

Peru

On June 6, roughly 300 Black Lives Matter protesters marched from Peru High School to the Miami County Courthouse in Peru.[43] [44]

Richmond

Hundreds gathered for a rally and march through downtown Richmond on May 31. Organizers spoke about experiences with policing and the protest remained peaceful.[45]

South Bend

Hundreds protested at two peaceful marches downtown on May 30. Police barriers were broken and insults were hurled at police, but the marches were otherwise peaceful. Ideas for change were discussed.[46]

Shelbyville

On June 6, a crowd of around 100 people gathered in front of and marched from the Shelby County courthouse and down State Road 44, eventually returning to the courthouse. Organizers and community members spoke about their experiences with policing and the justice system. The protest remained largely peaceful.[47]

Terre Haute

A crowd of more than 100 marched from the Vigo County courthouse to the Terre Haute police department on June 6. The protest, like others that had occurred that week, remained peaceful.[48]

Warsaw

Hundreds gathered on June 4 for a peaceful demonstration at the Kosciusko County Courthouse.[49]

Participants were told to and thus remained seated during the demonstration while organizers spoke about the murder of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement.

There was a group of Trump supporters near the demonstration who held signs for Trump and Blue Lives Matter.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: More than 100 people protest police brutality across America in Anderson. de la Bastide. Ken. heraldbulletin.com. May 30, 2020 . June 3, 2020.
  2. Web site: Anderson officials: Protest violence flared after midnight. Underwood. Scott. heraldbulletin.com. May 31, 2020 . June 3, 2020.
  3. Web site: Black Lives Matter events held in Avon, Brownsburg. Kast. Brett. cbs4indy.com. June 12, 2020 . June 12, 2020.
  4. Web site: For 14th day of demonstrations, Hoosiers marched in Perry Township, Avon and Brownsburg. Contreras. Natalia. Slaby. MJ. The Indianapolis Star.
  5. Web site: BLM protests Sunday in Martinsville and Bedford. Hogan. Jeremy. bloomingtonian.com. June 8, 2020 . June 18, 2020.
  6. News: Thousands Rally In Bloomington For Black Lives Matter Movement. Pinsker. Adam. News - Indiana Public Media. June 12, 2020.
  7. News: Indiana Woman Is Accused of Driving Into Demonstrators. Fortin. Jacey. The New York Times . July 9, 2020 . September 25, 2021.
  8. Web site: N-B Photos: Crowd gathers for protest downtown. Jessica. Bricker. News-Banner. June 6, 2020. January 10, 2021.
  9. Web site: Carmel protest against police brutality remains peaceful. Shambaugh. Ann Marie. youarecurrent.com. June 2020 . June 3, 2020.
  10. Web site: Community joins together for solidarity rally in Columbus. Silcox. Harrison. localnewsdigital.com. September 25, 2021.
  11. Web site: Peaceful Protest: Demonstrators call for racial equality; conduct 'lay in' at plaza. Wilson. Nick. journalreview.com. June 8, 2020 . June 18, 2020.
  12. Web site: Protesters met with armed onlookers following demonstration in Crown Point. Andy. Koval. WGN-TV. June 3, 2020. February 26, 2022.
  13. Web site: Protesters rally, march in Elkhart. Aimee. Ambrose. The Goshen News. June 11, 2020. June 13, 2020.
  14. Web site: Organizer, police officer reacts to weekend Evansville protest. Holbrook. Tanner. Gorman. Evan. 14news.com. June 2, 2020 . June 3, 2020.
  15. Web site: Fort Wayne police fire tear gas as protesters spill into the streets. May 29, 2020. WPTA21. en. May 30, 2020. August 9, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210809110502/https://wpta21.com/2020/05/29/fort-wayne-police-fire-tear-gas-as-protesters-spill-into-the-streets/. dead.
  16. Web site: Fort Wayne SWAT spraying, throwing tear gas at George Floyd protesters. WFFT News. en. June 1, 2020. June 8, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200608223854/https://www.wfft.com/content/news/Fort-Wayne-SWAT-spraying-throwing-tear-gas-at-George-Floyd-protesters-570883631.html. dead.
  17. Web site: Napoleon. Carrie. At protest against police brutality, Cunningham family demands justice for man's 2019 shooting death by Gary officer. Chicago Tribune. June 5, 2020. December 18, 2020.
  18. Web site: Goshen protest tense at times, but was non-violent. Aimee. Ambrose. The Goshen News. June 2, 2020. June 13, 2020.
  19. Web site: Protest against racial inequality draws about 200. Kirk. Mitchell. greenfieldreporter.com. July 6, 2020.
  20. Web site: In Greenwood, hundreds gather in support of Black lives, police reform. Hopkins. Emily. The Indianapolis Star.
  21. Web site: Hammond demonstration calls attention to police-minority community relations: 'We've got to fight back. Our lives depend on it'. Napoleon. Carrie. chicagotribune.com. May 30, 2020 . May 31, 2020.
  22. Web site: Downtown Indianapolis protests turn tense: police use tear gas, shots fired at deputy. Crystal . Hill . Vic . Ryckaert . Kelly . Wilkinson . Jenna . Watson . Ryan. Martin. The Indianapolis Star.
  23. Web site: What we know about the Indianapolis protest that turned violent. Elizabeth. DePompei. The Indianapolis Star. May 30, 2020. March 26, 2021.
  24. Web site: Indianapolis riots: One person killed, multiple shootings in Downtown violence, IMPD says. Allison. Carter. Matthew. VanTryon. The Indianapolis Star.
  25. Web site: Separate shootings leave 3 dead in Indianapolis overnight. WishTV. May 31, 2020 .
  26. Web site: Police protests in Indianapolis: IMPD, protesters walk together, but not everyone happy. Arika. Herron. Tony. Cook. Holly V.. Hays. The Indianapolis Star. June 1, 2020. March 26, 2021.
  27. Web site: Minivan driver collides with several Indianapolis protesters. The Times of Northwest Indiana. June 9, 2020. March 26, 2021.
  28. Web site: Driver Of Minivan Charged With Criminal Recklessness Following Incident With Protesters. WFYI-FM. June 12, 2020. March 26, 2021.
  29. News: For 14th day of demonstrations, Hoosiers marched in Perry Township, Avon and Brownsburg. Contreras. Natalia. Slaby. MJ. Indianapolis Star. June 11, 2020.
  30. News: Burris. Alexandria. June 17, 2020. 'The anger is not gone': Small group continues daily protests downtown.
  31. Web site: Correctional officer charged in protest hit, run. Dunlap. Kim. kokomotribune.com. June 2, 2020 . June 5, 2020.
  32. Web site: Tensions briefly flare at Monday protest downtown. Juranovich. Tyler. kokomotribune.com. June 2020 . June 5, 2020.
  33. Web site: Protests in Lafayette Sunday largely peaceful; police use tear gas after march. Emily. DeLetter. Dave. Bangert . Lafatette Journal and Courier. en. June 3, 2020.
  34. Web site: Second night of Lafayette protests turns unruly again until police showed solidarity. Ron. Wilkins. Lafatette Journal and Courier. en. June 3, 2020.
  35. Web site: Locals protest death of George Floyd. Miller. Jaylan. Chronicle-Tribune. June 2, 2020 . June 4, 2020.
  36. Web site: George Floyd Death Protest in Michigan City . Hometown News . en . June 1, 2020. June 12, 2023.
  37. Web site: Michigan City Mayor releases statement following Sunday's protest. ABC 57 . en . June 1, 2020. June 12, 2023.
  38. Web site: Mazurek . Marek . Car drives through crowd at Mishawaka protest, injuring one person. . en . July 6, 2020. January 6, 2021.
  39. Web site: Mooresville protest in support of 'Black Lives Matter' brings out two groups with opposing points of view. Longnecker. Emily. wthr.com. July 4, 2020 . July 6, 2020.
  40. Web site: Thousands of protesters march in Muncie to rally against police brutality. TheStarPress.
  41. Web site: SUDDEATH. DANIEL. Jun 15, 2020. New Albany protest 'positive and successful'. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210112215352/https://www.newsandtribune.com/new-albany-protest-positive-and-successful/article_1ee911a8-af20-11ea-810d-2f5fa18419d4.html. 12 January 2021. 12 January 2021. News and Tribune. en.
  42. Web site: March on Suburbs comes to Plainfield. Pearcy. Gus. myhcicon.com. July 5, 2020 . July 17, 2020.
  43. Web site: KEEVER. JARED. 'No justice, no peace': Community members come together to protest police violence. 2021-01-12. Peru Tribune. June 6, 2020 . en.
  44. Web site: LinkedUpRadio. Envisionwise Website Service /. Peru site of BLM protest Saturday. 2021-01-12. WROI 92.1 GIANT fm. en.
  45. Web site: 'Be chill': Hundreds in Richmond put on peaceful protest of police violence. Truitt. Jason. pal-item.com. June 18, 2020.
  46. Web site: South Bend protests: Two marches, hundreds of demonstrators and a call for change. Jeff. Parrott. Mel. Fronczek. South Bend Tribune. en. May 31, 2020.
  47. Web site: Black Lives Matter movement supported by Shelbyville. Pritchett. Haley. June 8, 2020 . June 8, 2020.
  48. Web site: Peaceful protests continue in downtown Terre Haute. Jackson. Lindsey. mywabashvalley.com. June 6, 2020 . July 6, 2020.
  49. Web site: Hundreds gather for protest in Warsaw. Lewis. Max. wsbt.com. June 4, 2020 . June 5, 2020.