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Starting a new thread for my coverage of Indianapolis demonstrations today/tonight. Here we go.
Sizeable crowd marching from the Circle down Washington, probably toward the City County Building.
I’m working alongside @JennaRWatson tonight.
This already appears to be the largest demonstration against police use of force that I’ve seen since covering Indianapolis.
From where I’m standing, the group appears to be made up primarily of people in their 20s and 30s. But I’m also seeing older folks, people pushing their children in strollers, people walking their dogs.
They’re marching down Washington. Greeted by cheers and honks from drivers idling on the road.
A lot of Downtown drivers are stopping, pulling aside, raising a fist alongside the protesters. Honks, cheers. The city’s willingness to embrace this type of activism feels very different today than in years past.
Now the group I’m following is heading to the Circle, where several others are already gathered.
Just chatted with a white man wearing camouflage print and carrying an AR-15. He said he and others from a Second Amendment rights group are here to support the peaceful demonstrations. Said they reached out to organizers and were told to come. “We want justice for Floyd too.”
The Circle right now.
Indy10 BLM on the armed men at the Circle: https://twitter.com/indy10people/status/1266859015209918474?s=21 https://twitter.com/indy10people/status/1266859015209918474
We’re now at the War Memorial. https://twitter.com/jennarwatson/status/1266861332927778816?s=21 https://twitter.com/jennarwatson/status/1266861332927778816
Chants right now:
Justice for George Floyd
Justice for Michael Brown
Justice for Sean Reed
Justice for George Floyd
Justice for Michael Brown
Justice for Sean Reed
One speaker just notified everyone it’s 7. “Please remain peaceful,” she said.
https://twitter.com/hollyvhays/status/1266865484089241600?s=21 https://twitter.com/hollyvhays/status/1266865484089241600
https://twitter.com/hollyvhays/status/1266865484089241600?s=21 https://twitter.com/hollyvhays/status/1266865484089241600
Here’s what last night looked like. https://twitter.com/ryanmartin/status/1266579678871126017?s=21
The event organizers today are urging everyone in attendance to use their voices and to peacefully protest. https://twitter.com/ryanmartin/status/1266579678871126017
The event organizers today are urging everyone in attendance to use their voices and to peacefully protest. https://twitter.com/ryanmartin/status/1266579678871126017
I wasn’t Downtown last night in time to see what ignited the burning building or tear gas or riot gear or broken windows.
I talked to a few officers last night and today, through, who said they were optimistic about tonight going better than last night.
I talked to a few officers last night and today, through, who said they were optimistic about tonight going better than last night.
https://twitter.com/mykalmphoto/status/1266869859008352256?s=21 https://twitter.com/mykalmphoto/status/1266869859008352256
Starting to see a very small police presence around the Circle. Some officers on bicycles. A few more were standing outside patrol cars closer to the War Memorial.
This is between the War Memorial and Monument Circle
A march is heading toward roads that are open. It’s after 7. Might be the first test of how IMPD is going to respond.
It’s loud. It’s active.
Punch Burger
Looks like the group will continue along Delaware and past Mass Ave, where outdoor diners are looking on.
Now on Mass Ave.
Families rising up outside restaurants to clap for the marchers. People standing on their elevated apartment balconies, fists in the air.
Indianapolis really is a small city. Last night amid the chaos, I quite literally almost ran into an officer I’ve interviewed who was wearing riot gear and was part of the emergency response.
Today I’ve bumped into numerous community organizers I’ve interviewed over the years.
Today I’ve bumped into numerous community organizers I’ve interviewed over the years.
Last night I saw a video of two of them — one a cop, one an organizer — in what appeared to be a heated standoff near the Circle. These are people I’ve talked to for years. We talk about our families and why we call Indianapolis home. I care about them.
Just an eerie feeling.
Just an eerie feeling.
The group I’ve been following is now outside the City-County Building. This is where IMPD is headquartered. Mayor Hogsett’s office is at the top of the building.
A few people pounded on the CCB’s glass windows. Here’s whats inside right now:
https://twitter.com/mykalmphoto/status/1266893841350746112?s=21 https://twitter.com/mykalmphoto/status/1266893841350746112
https://twitter.com/mykalmphoto/status/1266893841350746112?s=21 https://twitter.com/mykalmphoto/status/1266893841350746112
IMPD officers are calling it an unlawful assembly, saying those here need to “disperse immediately.”
Maybe 10 officers, four patrol cars here. Most are wearing gas masks and standing still.
The officer who used his car’s intercom system has now put on his gas mask.
It’s heated but non-violent here, from what I can tell. Haven’t seen anyone throw anything.
It’s heated but non-violent here, from what I can tell. Haven’t seen anyone throw anything.
Someone just threw a water bottle toward the officers.
And another. and Nother.
It begins
I was down the block. Just got hit in the leg with a projectile of some kind. Then a few canisters of tear gas. Struggling to catch my senses right now
It’s cleared out for now. People on the fringes
Three more patrol cars just arrived. I’m seeing occasional canisters fired in the opposite direction of where I’m standing. I can’t see what’s happening down there
IBJ journalist on the other side of police from where I was standing https://twitter.com/ibjnews/status/1266900935466536960?s=21 https://twitter.com/ibjnews/status/1266900935466536960
I moved to new a spot. A volley of tear gas outside the federal courthouse
Just saw another arrest. More IMPD cars pulled up. Maybe 20 here now
Just a couple blocks away from the tear gas:
Ok, I got to the other side.
Someone broke some glass at the comic book store. I’m seeing super young kids spray painting the barbecue restaurant.
Someone broke some glass at the comic book store. I’m seeing super young kids spray painting the barbecue restaurant.
A helicopter of some sort is flying overhead.
A voice is booming over speakers at the Circle, saying the gathering is unlawful.
A voice is booming over speakers at the Circle, saying the gathering is unlawful.
Busted glass. Shouting. Running. It’s getting really tense down here.
Glass windows coming down at Huntington Bank
People running back toward the Circle. Bunch stayed at the intersection. Looks like the group may be moving in different directions.
Just saw four or five more canisters of tear gas
An armed security guard standing outside Columbia Club. Put his hand on his holstered weapon as someone threw something at him.
Guns are everywhere in this state, particularly in Marion Co. Stuff like that is what I worry most about here.
Looks like the front door of the newsroom has been shattered. Chaotic stuff happening outside.
Large police presence near the Star.
Something set on fire in the intersection of Maryland/Capitol
Cars just swerving around it and continuing on Maryland.
Just ran in to my friend @RussMcQuaidNews out here. The man’s everywhere.
Another fire. Appears to be along Georgia St. Spotted it through a parking garage
I’m having a hard time finding what to cover, where to go. Spurts of chaotic movement. Evidence of looting. People running as soon as a bang or crash is heard. Cops flying by in cars.
Jenna Watson, Dave Lindquist and I are now staying together and keeping distance from altercations as best we can.
Someone tried to set First Watch on fire. Three people ran up to put it out.
Some officers standing outside a TJ Maxx. Getting tense here. People throwing stuff at them.
A few fireworks are being set off in trash cans and inside TJ Maxx. Extremely loud booms. Sounds like gunshots to the uninformed ear. These cops appear to know better and are generally standing still.
Looks like someone just got arrested after the officers sprayed him/her.
Here’s the arrest https://twitter.com/drryanlove/status/1266933948246036488?s=21 https://twitter.com/drryanlove/status/1266933948246036488
Just saw a man holding a silver handgun running through intersection of Illinois/Ohio. Was waving it around.
Seeing another gathering and something set on fire at this intersection. No police here that I can see.
Hearing several pops near the Circle. Probably gas canisters but hard to tell.
Heard what definitely sounded like a gunshot too.
IMPD said someone has been shot at Alabama/New York intersection Downtown. No condition.
I’m getting lots of reports of gunfire from people messaging me.
Lots of patrol cars racing toward the CCB area. Glass getting shattered left and right. Looks like T Mobil might be smoking. Eight to 10 gunshots just rang out. It’s pure chaos here
We are starting to pull back toward the newsroom.
IMPD: Two people have been shot near City Market
IMPD: Someone has been fatally shot downtown.
Some of us from @IndyStar are leaving Downtown. I feel awful doing so. But we simply can’t stay here.
And I’m not sure our presence or our reporting is doing anything worthwhile at this point.
And I’m not sure our presence or our reporting is doing anything worthwhile at this point.
. @hollyvhays covered a press conference with the police chief: https://twitter.com/hollyvhays/status/1266946695495065602?s=21 https://twitter.com/hollyvhays/status/1266946695495065602
IMPD says no officers have fired their guns tonight: https://twitter.com/impdnews/status/1266952896077316097?s=21 https://twitter.com/impdnews/status/1266952896077316097
Statement from the mayor: https://twitter.com/indymayorjoe/status/1266963517976072193?s=21 https://twitter.com/indymayorjoe/status/1266963517976072193
Video from @mykalmphoto of a clash tonight between police and shouting protesters https://www.indystar.com/videos/news/local/marion-county/2020/05/31/raw-video-protestors-and-police-clash-indianapolis/5297975002/
This was happening down the street from me when I was reporting near the TJ Maxx earlier
This was happening down the street from me when I was reporting near the TJ Maxx earlier
I’m officially calling it quits for the night. Going to try to get some sleep. I have no idea what tomorrow will bring.
