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For the latest about Saturday’s protests, see our continual updates.
Thousands of protesters coalesced downtown late Saturday afternoon in a continuation of protests of police violence and social inequality that on Friday resulted in widespread vandalism.
In a peaceful demonstration, a crowd of about 3,000 people gathered at Monument Circle at about 5:30 p.m., chanting “Black lives matter” and “No justice, no peace.”
Protesters initially gathered on Monument Circle at about 5 p.m., with hundreds breaking off to march east on Market Street, then north on Alabama and west on Michigan Street. At the Indiana War Memorial, they met up with hundreds more protesters and then marched south back to Monument Circle.
By 6 p.m., groups appeared to be splintering off from the protest, with members of groups such as Black Lives Matter and the Nation of Islam collecting in pockets in the Circle.
Mayor Joe Hogsett said earlier on Saturday afternoon that he had spoken with protest organizers and social-justice groups to arrange a protest at 4 p.m. on Monument Circle, with their assurance that it would remain peaceful and that they would help disperse the crowd afterward.
“It is my hope that as you gather in anger that you will leave your peaceful protest and return home,” Hogsett said during a live-streamed press conference. He said he hoped protesters would disperse by 7 p.m.
At the protest, an organizer speaking to the crowd told protesters that Indianapolis police have “a green light to move in” on protesters at 7 p.m.
Protesters then started to splinter, with hundreds heading north out of the Circle on Meridian Street.
Hogsett’s comments followed a night of violence and vandalism downtown, stemming from an earlier protest on Friday against police violence. Extensive property damage in the Mile Square included dozens of smashed windows in office buildings and retail storefronts. Three law enforcement officers and at least one protester were injured.
The violence in Indianapolis and many other cities was sparked by anger over the death in police custody of George Floyd in Minneapolis on Monday, which was captured on cellphone video. It led to the firing Tuesday of the four police officers who were arresting Floyd for suspicion of passing a counterfeit bill and to third-degree murder and manslaughter charges being filed Friday against the officer who used his knee to pin Floyd down for more than eight minutes.
Indianapolis protesters on Saturday shouted the name of Dreasjon Reed, who recorded himself being shot by IMPD officers following a police pursuit early this month.
This story will be updated.
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Considering the unconscionable murder of George Floyd and the subsequent riots, was there ever a better example of two wrongs not making a right?
Any effect a peaceful demonstration could provide completely negated by thugs
Violence and looting undermine the message of justice for all. Spray painting a monument, setting fires, breaking into businesses and yelling senseless and crude remarks to police are not accomplishing anything except to get negative attention and set back the demands for peace.
This is honoring George Floyd how? Those who used spray paint should be compelled to use a wire brush to erase the words—horrible. Those who broke glass should have to pick up every shard and replace the glass. How stupid these detestable acts are.
As others have said, “Do not burn your own house down.”
Complaining about inequalities for some, during a government forced shutdown, and extended here by a mismanaging mayor is ironic at its best.
So Hogsett will allow thousands to be downtown for a protest yet my hair salon can’t open until Monday??
Democratic logic. Go figure.
Your priorities seem to be out of order. Hope you can reflect on that and maybe understand why so many were upset enough to gather.
The answer to this problem is simple. Draft up a work agreement that strips police officers of their qualified immunity and have them agree to not use deadly force unless threatened. And if they do kill, and it is deemed that they were not threatened—they will be immediately fired and charged accordingly. Have all police officers sign the document or be FIRED—and join the 40 million+ unemployed. All big-city American mayors CAN do this NOW. That would make people stop rioting and be lasting change so that this situation never happens again.