Recent Actions of Legislators Against Indiana Black Legislative Caucus Members -AACI Statement

INDIANAPOLIS – (February 19, 2021) We are appalled at the disrespectful treatment of members of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC) during the legislative debate on HB 1367. At a time when we should be advancing public policies that afford equal opportunities to individuals and communities, we have spent several weeks opposing numerous bills designed to exacerbate such inequities.

The entire tone of this legislative session has raised serious concerns about whether Black Hoosiers can be treated equally in this state. We have seen proposed cuts to mental health, education bills that continue to unlevel the playing field for urban and underrepresented students, no additional funding for food deserts, undermining of tenant protections during an economic decline and pandemic, and efforts to undue community-based solutions for police reform. The Republican delegation, even while claiming to propose solutions for Indianapolis and its urban core, has made no effort to engage our community—even on the issues that disproportionately impact our community.

Nationally, we have noted the rise of racism and its normalization. We stand in solidarity with the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus and all legislators that fight for both root cause solutions and against policies that maintain systemic racism in our society. We expect that the Speaker of the House and President Pro Tempore set a tone of civility and enforce it among the members of the Indiana General Assembly.

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Click link to read The Indianapolis Star story: Indy Star: Indiana GOP Lawmakers Boo and Shout Down Black Colleagues on House Floor