Author: K Teague
IUL Statement – “Reprehensible” Facebook Meme of Black children dancing in underwear
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 15, 2020
Indianapolis Urban League Statement Concerning the “Reprehensible” Facebook Meme of State Representative Jim Lucas
Indianapolis, IN – Indianapolis Urban League President & CEO Tony Mason decried the Monday, May 11th Facebook meme posted by State Representative Jim Lucas (Seymour) as “reprehensible and utterly insensitive!”
Mason stressed, “given Blacks comprise only 9.1% of Indiana’s population, Lucas’ meme clearly promotes racist notions and stereotypes!” The meme portrays young Black children dancing in underwear and quotes them as saying, “We gon’ get free money!” This was State Representative Lucas’ response to the COVID-19 Relief Assistance sent to most American households in April.
“Mason further stressed, with over 640,000 Hoosiers dealing with unemployment, and many facing life and death challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Lucas’ meme is especially ill-timed. At a critical time for all residents of our state, a political leader such as State Representative Lucas should be using his position and platform to aid suffering Hoosiers; especially Hoosiers of Color, who have been disproportionately and fatally impacted by this health and economic crisis. Blacks are suffering over 16% of COVID-19 deaths and Hoosiers in general are struggling to survive economically. Now is not the time for partisan, racist memes that only serve the purpose of disparaging and dividing Hoosiers when so many of us are uniting, now more than ever, to aid struggling families. Hopefully, Republican leaders who have been disturbingly silent will condemn Representative Lucas’ actions.”
The Indianapolis Urban League urges those rightly offended to express their strong dismay to House Speaker Todd Huston and other Republican political leaders, including Governor Holcomb.
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Contact: Tony Mason, President & CEO, Indianapolis Urban League
(317) 693-7603 tmason@indplsul.org
About the Indianapolis Urban League:
Founded in 1965, the Indianapolis Urban League (IUL) is a nonprofit, non-partisan, interracial, community-based, human services agency dedicated to assisting African-Americans, other minorities and disadvantaged individuals to achieve social and economic equality. Annually, the IUL provides direct services and advocacy in the areas of: education and youth services, economic and workforce development, health and quality of life, civic engagement and leadership, and civil rights and racial justice empowerment. IUL is one of 90 affiliates of the National Urban League serving 300 communities in 36 states and the District of Columbia. For more information visit indplsul.org
Mayor Hogesst & IMPD: Rollout of Body Worn Cameras, Creation of use of Force Review Board, and Use of Force Policy Update
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
May 12, 2020
Mayor Hogsett, IMPD provide an update on policing reforms
Use of Force Review Board, body worn cameras seek to improve transparency and accountability
INDIANAPOLIS – May 12, 2020, Mayor Joe Hogsett was joined by Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) Chief Randal Taylor and President Vop Osili to provide updates on several changes designed to strengthen trust between IMPD and the community, as well as increase transparency in the policing process.
“Every resident of Indianapolis should feel they can depend on our police to protect and serve residents equally under the law,” said Mayor Hogsett. “And our commitment to accountability and transparency will protect good policing as much as it helps uncover abuses should they occur.”
Rollout of body worn cameras
Last year, IMPD conducted a second pilot program to guide implementation of body worn cameras on the department. In the five years since a 2014 pilot did not result in the development of a permanent program, vendor offerings had increased, the City had invested millions of dollars in upgrading public safety technology infrastructure, and body worn camera products had advanced, significantly driving down costs. The second, larger pilot was stakeholder-driven and included a community-facing survey administered by IUPUI, a series of in-person community meetings, and a technology trial on the busiest shift on the largest IMPD districts.
Through this trial process, the ability for decentralized uploading of body worn camera footage as well as the availability of automated recording triggers, which turn the cameras on in certain situations, were identified as priority characteristics for the technology. As a result, Utility has been selected as the preferred vendor for the IMPD body worn camera program.
Following the conclusion of the pilot, Mayor Hogsett and the City-County Council included $1.2 million in the 2020 City-County Budget to fund the rollout of a body worn camera program in the second half of the year. Implementation of the program will begin in Quarter 3 of this year, with a goal to outfit 100 officers with the technology per week. The department continues to analyze national best practices and incorporate these with feedback from the pilot program to finalize a body worn camera policy for IMPD that maximizes the benefits of the technology for both officers and the public. A final policy will be made available to the public before rollout of the technology to officers begins.
Creation of the Use of Force Review Board
The Use of Force Review Board will have authority to review uses of force by IMPD officers, whether a physical altercation, deployment of a taser, or use of a firearm. The board will be made up of merit-ranked officers as well as civilian members appointed by the Chief of Police, including one nominated by the Mayor of Indianapolis, one nominated by the President of the City-County Council, and one nominated by members of the department. Prior to appointment, civilian members will be required to complete training that covers use of force, IMPD general orders, applicable Merit Laws, and ride-alongs. Continuing education will also be required. Civilian appointees will be voting members and will have full authority to participate in hearings.
Similar to the existing Firearms Review Board, and consistent with the Merit Law, the Use of Force Review Board will not have the authority to recommend discipline but will instead make an advisory finding which will be limited to determining whether the officer’s actions were within departmental policy. As it will be replacing the Firearms Review Board, the Use of Force Review Board will conduct a mandatory hearing for any use of deadly force against a person. Following the findings of the Board, the Chief of Police will have final authority to recommend discipline, subject to the oversight of the Civilian Police Merit Board. This proposal will go before the IMPD General Orders Committee in the next 15 days.
Use of Force Policy Update
IMPD’s Policy and Planning Division has been working over the last two years with legal experts to craft an updated use of force policy that incorporates national best practices as well as the local legal framework. As part of this process, visual documents for learning have been created and incorporated directly into the policy, and an updated training curriculum will be deployed at the training academy. The updated policy is expected to go before the IMPD General Orders Committee in the next 30 days.
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ACCI Statement on the Fatal Police Action Shooting of Dreasjon Reed
AFRICAN AMERICAN COALITION OF INDIANAPOLIS – AACI
Indianapolis, IN, May 6, 2020 –
The African American Coalition of Indianapolis joins the family of Dreasjon Reed and the community in mourning his tragic loss. Police action shootings, especially when the facts about the incident are unclear and disputed, strain positive police and community relations and create further fear and distrust within our community. While we recognize the work IMPD has done to reduce such incidents through its implicit bias training, transparency in posting its general orders, and even reviewing its use of force policies, we believe an IMPD investigation of this case is insufficient. We believe an independent and external investigation is required to determine what happened in this police action shooting, especially whether the civil rights of Dreasjon Reed were violated. There must be justice and accountability for IMPD to retain its credibility in our community.
While we await the next steps of the criminal and administrative investigation of this shooting, we would encourage only peaceful responses to this tragedy. We also appreciate the desire to gather to voice frustration at what has occurred, but we also want to discourage large gatherings due to COVID-19 and its disproportionate impact on our community. We urge IMPD to be transparent about its actions to establish the truth of what happened before and at 62nd and Michigan Road. We will continue to monitor this case as well as advocate for the unfinished work of police reform, such as civilian presence on use of force review panels.
Indianapolis Urban League
Indiana Black Expo
Indianapolis Recorder
Purpose 4 My Pain
Indy Black Chamber of Commerce
Exchange at the Indianapolis Urban League
Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance
Stop the Violence
Indy Black Millennials
Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Indianapolis Chapter
Flanner House
100 Black Men of Indianapolis
National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Indianapolis Chapter
Indianapolis Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
About the African American Coalition
The African American Coalition of Indianapolis (AACI) is a non-partisan collaboration of African-American civic, social, professional, service and community organizations with a goal to educate and engage African Americans in the local, state and national political process.
Mayor Joe Hogsett and Dr. Virginia Caine – Churches to Remain Closed this Weekend
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 6, 2020
Mayor Joe Hogsett, Marion County Public Health Department provide guidance, additional details about local restrictions
Local orders remain in place until May 15, will apply to places of worship
INDIANAPOLIS – Following the release of Governor Holcomb’s Back on Track Indiana plan, Mayor Joe Hogsett and Dr. Virginia Caine, director of the Marion County Public Health Department joined city and community stakeholders to offer additional guidance for Indianapolis residents regarding local stay in place orders, large gatherings, and enforcement mechanisms. To date, Marion County has had 6,419 individuals test positive for COVID-19 and 374 COVID-19 related deaths.
“Last week, Governor Holcomb laid out a roadmap for reopening Indiana’s economy and I am appreciative that the State’s approach allows Indiana cities and towns to adjust to the needs and data in their community,” said Mayor Hogsett. “Moving forward, the State’s roadmap will serve as a foundation for Marion County’s plans and ensure that, as we continue to receive community testing information and data from healthcare providers, we are able to determine a timeline for entering into future phases of reopening for our city.”
Mayor Hogsett and Dr. Caine offered the following guidance:
- Marion County’s stay-at-home orders will remain in place through at least May 15
- These restrictions will apply to places of worship, delaying their reopening
- Marion County intends to adopt the Back on Track phasing when reopening begins
- IMPD will be educating residents and aggressively enforcing restrictions on large gatherings
- Local data will be analyzed through the weekend and additional guidance on the timing of future phases of reopening will be given early next week.
“We are closely monitoring COVID-19 data each day to understand the impact this is having in Marion County,” said Dr. Caine. “While there is reason to be hopeful, we can’t relax quite yet. Everyone’s continued hard work and patience is needed to slow the spread of this virus even more, and help put our community on a positive path moving forward.”
Current Marion County Public Health Department Orders state that all non-essential businesses are to remain closed through Friday, May 15. Businesses with essential functions are permitted to remain open and their employees are permitted to continue traveling to work. When out in public, all Marion County residents are asked to wear a face mask or covering and continue to maintain good hygiene, frequent handwashing, and proper social distancing.
Residents and affected workers impacted by COVID-19 restrictions should visit the city’s resource guide, which can be viewed at indy.gov/covid. Spanish speaking residents can view the Resource Guide here. Individuals who are unable to navigate the city’s website can call 317-327-4MAC between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to talk to a customer service representative.
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African American Coalition of Indianapolis – Urges the Community to Comply with Mayor Hoggett’s Stay-at-Home Order
AFRICAN AMERICAN COALITION OF INDIANAPOLIS – AACI
Indianapolis, IN, May 4, 2020 – Statement Urging the Community to Comply with Mayor Hogsett’s Stay at Home Order
On Thursday, April 30th, Mayor Joe Hogsett and Dr. Virginia Caine of the Marion County Health Department extended the stay-at-home order issued for the city of Indianapolis until May 15th. Mayor Hogsett shared that Marion County represented approximately one third of both COVID-19 positive cases and deaths for the state. Marion County is currently the epicenter of Indiana’s coronavirus outbreak. The number of cases in Indianapolis have not peaked.
According to the Marion County Health Department, “African-American residents have been three times more likely than white residents to get diagnosed with a confirmed case of COVID-19, two and a half times more likely to be hospitalized due to the virus, and twice as likely to die from it.” We know that many in our community are vulnerable due to their health status and existing conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and asthma, obesity, etc. We also know that 12% of Black residents do not have access to quality and affordable health care, a problem we remain committed to addressing.
Both the Mayor and the Governor of Indiana have orders in place against large gatherings of people. Unfortunately, among the large gatherings that have occurred all over the city, we learned on Sunday a 16-year old died from a stray bullet that might be linked to one of them. AACI has condemned such senseless acts of violence on countless occasions and reaffirm our position today. These acts of violence are unacceptable especially when African Americans make up a disproportionate number of the over 45 criminal homicides in 2020, as well as those killed during a record-setting year for homicides in 2018, and previous years.
The Central Indiana African American community is simultaneously combating a public health crisis, COVID-19, and a continuing public safety crisis, with African Americans continuing to be murdered at a disturbing rate. It is very painful for our community to consider that full compliance of Mayor Hogsett’s stay-at-home order might have prevented another loss of life of one of our children.
To minimize the spread of the virus and to prevent deaths, we are strongly encouraging members of our community to comply with Mayor Hogsett’s stay-at-home order by refraining from participating in large gatherings and continuing social distancing practices, wearing masks and washing hands regularly. We also encourage our community to take advantage of available COVID-19 testing if you are experiencing symptoms or have been exposed to someone who has tested positive. If you feel that you have been exposed and have symptoms complete and submit the Marion County Public Health Department’s COVID-19 Community Testing Form or call 317-221-5515.
We must do everything we can to help ourselves until a vaccine is available and effective treatment is in place.
About the African American Coalition
The African American Coalition of Indianapolis (AACI) is a non-partisan collaboration of African-American civic, social, professional, service and community organizations with a goal to educate and engage African Americans in the local, state and national political process.
COMMUNITY DRIVE-THRU FOOD BOX AND MEAL DISTRIBUTION – Tuesday, April 28, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 27, 2020
COMMUNITY DRIVE-THRU FOOD BOX AND MEAL DISTRIBUTIONFOR FAMILIES IMPACTED BY LOST JOBS AND INCOME REDUCTION DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS
Indianapolis, IN – The Indianapolis Urban League (IUL), in partnership with Gleaners, Second Helpings, the Children’s Bureau, Radio One, and WISH-TV will host a free drive-thru food box and meal distribution for 500 families who have lost their jobs and have experienced a reduction in income due to the Coronavirus on Tuesday, April 28 at the Indianapolis Urban League on a first-come, first-served basis, while food boxes and meal supplies last.
“Empowering families with food and meals is a vital service to keep our community thriving during this unprecedented public health crisis which has impacted all residents in our city, state, nation, and world in some capacity. The Indianapolis Urban League and its partners will continue to do their part in assisting families with this basic need at our community food drive,” said Tony Mason, President and CEO, Indianapolis Urban League.
Who:
Indianapolis Urban League and partners: Gleaners, Second Helping, the Children’s Bureau, Radio One, and WISH-TV
What:
Community Drive-Thru Food Box and Meal Distribution for familiesimpacted by lost jobs and income reduction due to the Coronavirus. Families will receive a free foo box and meal until all are distributed (supplies last).
6’ social distancing guidelines will be enforced.
Where:
Indianapolis Urban League parking lot, 777 Indiana Avenue. Enter the Indianapolis Urban League parking lot at the St. Clair Street entrance
When:
Tuesday, April 28, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. until all food boxes and meals are distributed. (while supplies last)
Why:
Empowering families with food and meals is a vital service to keep our community thriving. The Indianapolis Urban League and its partners recognize maintaining the overall health of families in our community is important during this public health crisis.
Contact: Tony Mason, President & CEO, Indianapolis Urban League (317) 693-7603 tmason@indplsul.org
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About the Indianapolis Urban League:
Founded in 1965, the Indianapolis Urban League (IUL) is a nonprofit, non-partisan, interracial, community-based, human services agency dedicated to assisting African-Americans, other minorities and disadvantaged individuals to achieve social and economic equality. Annually, the IUL provides direct services and advocacy in the areas of: education and youth services, economic and workforce development, health and quality of life, civic engagement and leadership, and civil rights and racial justice empowerment. IUL is one of 90 affiliates of the National Urban League serving 300 communities in 36 states and the District of Columbia. For more information visit indplsul.org
Marion County Election Board Begins Mailing Absentee Applications to Registered Voters
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 21, 2020
MARION COUNTY ELECTION BOARD BEGINS MAILING ABSENTEE APPLICATIONS TO REGISTERED VOTERS
[INDIANAPOLIS, IN] Today, the Marion County Election Board has begun mailing absentee ballot applications to all registered voters in Marion County providing ample time for voters to return theirapplications. Voters who want to vote absentee by mail should:
1. Follow the enclosed instructions.
2. Complete the application.
3. Mail the application to the election board using the return envelope that is provided. The election board must receive the completed and signed application no later than 11:59 PM on Thursday, May 21.
4. Receive the ballot. Voters can track their ballots on indianavoters.in.gov or the Indiana Voters app on their mobile devices.
5. Complete the ballot. Voters must submit their ballots to the election board no later than Noon on Election Day—Tuesday, June 2 to have their votes cast. Voters can return their ballots to the Election Services Center, located at 3737 East Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46201.
Increasing access to the ability to vote absentee by mail allows Marion County voters to cast a ballot while protecting their health and safety. Voting absentee by mail promotes good public health while avoiding the close social interactions that are inevitable at satellite early voting sites or election-day vote centers.
For this reason, the Marion County Election Board with the support of Mayor Joe Hogsett and the Indianapolis-Marion County City-County Council strongly encourages its residents to vote absentee by mail.
About the Marion County Election Board The Marion County (IN) Election Board is committed to conducting fair and free elections for our residents.
To find us online, visit www.indy.gov/election or send an email to elections@indy.gov. Follow us on twitter: http://twitter.com/MCEBIndy
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Contact: Russell Hollis, Deputy Director
Marion County Clerk’s Office
Email: Russell.Hollis@indy.gov
Phone: (317) 327-5099
MyINDY-TV 23 TO BROADCAST DAILY ACADEMIC LESSONS FOR INDIANAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS STUDENTS
INDIANAPOLIS – April 20, 2020 – DuJuan McCoy, owner, president, and CEO of Circle City Broadcasting (parent company of WISH-TV and MyINDY-TV 23), today announced a partnership with Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) to produce and broadcast academic lessons to IPS students in Grades K–8 five days a week. IPS, along with all other Indiana public schools, is closed through the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Lessons will air 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Monday–Friday on MyINDY-TV 23, beginning April 27 through the end of the school year. Each lesson will vary in length and will cover a variety of subjects, including English, Math, Reading, and Social Emotional Learning (SEL).
McCoy, an Indianapolis native and graduate of Butler University, attended IPS prior to graduating from Ben Davis High School. He knows first-hand the impact this connectivity will have on the more than 24,000 K-8 IPS students in the Indianapolis area.
“We’re very proud to bring these critical broadcasts to students in our community,” said McCoy. “While e-learning is fulfilling the educational needs of some students across the state, many families do not have internet access in their homes. Free broadcast television can help to fill the gap for those without access by providing a link to educational opportunities for all students, regardless of income.”
Although some internet service providers are making free access available, certain limitations can still make this unfeasible for many families. Nearly 99% of all U.S. homes have at least one television, and by simply using an antenna, the free, over-the-air signal of MyINDY-TV 23 should reach the majority of IPS homes.
“We are extremely excited about this new partnership with Circle City Broadcasting as a way to share critical learning with our K–8 families who may not have a computer or internet access,” said IPS Superintendent Aleesia Johnson. “This adds another layer to the instruction that our students are receiving through the IPS Home Learning Plan and increases access to families who need it most.”
MyINDY-TV 23 is providing production of the lessons, presented by IPS teachers, free of charge. The broadcast lessons will mirror the videos teachers have already recorded on their class pages online and will cover content in the homework packets mailed to families.
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The Indianapolis Urban League Commends Governor Holcomb for Vetoing SEA 148
The Indianapolis Urban League Commends Governor Holcomb for Vetoing SEA 148 protecting Hoosier Home and Apartment Renters
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 26, 2020
The Indianapolis Urban League was one of three hundred organizations who banded together to oppose this legislation (SEA 148) which represented an end run around democracy. Acting against very significant odds of failure, these 300 groups banded together to represent over 2 million Hoosier renters – 1/3rd of the Hoosier population – many of whom are poor and working class households with many children and fixed income seniors.
This veto will protect renters from being retaliated against by landlords for reporting significant health and safety violations such as lack of heat, running water, operable air condition in summer, etc.
We thank Governor Holcomb for doing the right thing, in understanding the concerns of the 2 million Hoosiers who rent their apartments and homes, by vetoing SEA 148.
Consistent with our mission to assist African-Americans, other minorities, and disadvantaged individuals to achieve social and economic equality, the Indianapolis Urban League and its allies will be extremely vigilant in opposing future efforts such as these to defend the interests and rights of vulnerable Hoosier families, children, and the elderly.
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Contact:
Anthony “Tony” Mason, President & CEO, Indianapolis Urban League (317) 693-7603
About the Indianapolis Urban League
Founded in 1965, the Indianapolis Urban League (IUL) is a nonprofit, non-partisan, interracial, community-based, human services agency dedicated to assisting African-Americans, other minorities and disadvantaged individuals to achieve social and economic equality. Annually the IUL provides direct services and advocacy in the areas of: education and youth services, economic and workforce development, health and quality of life, civic engagement and leadership, and civil rights and racial justice empowerment. IUL is one of 90 affiliates of the National Urban League serving 300 communities in 36 states and the District of Columbia. For more information visit indplsul.org