By Kiara T. Calloway

TheStatehouseFile.com

INDIANAPOLIS—In the wake of violent protests that triggered the closure of Indiana’s Statehouse and others, Black lawmakers voiced particular concern about the threat of ongoing violence.

Rep. Robin Shackleford, D-Indianapolis and chair of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus, said the violence at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, accompanied by a demonstration at the Indiana Statehouse and others around the nation the same day, is the main source of the concern.

In Indianapolis on Jan. 6, Proud Boys and other supporters of former President Donald Trump gathered at the Statehouse to protest the 2020 election results.

Shackleford had an unpleasant experience with a man whom her staff believed to be a member of the Proud Boys that day.

“We can’t confirm if he was a part of the Proud Boy protestors. We have a feeling it might have been because it was the same day and there wasn’t much traffic,” Shackleford said. “But he did look for me specifically.”

Shackleford said her staff at the Statehouse reported the man wanted to talk about COVID-19 and the Black caucus, and that he was rude to staff members.

“I was concerned about that and reached out to leadership and state police to see if added security may take place,” Shackleford said. “And they did respond with extra security in the Statehouse.”

On Jan. 15, state officials announced that the Statehouse would be closed and all legislative activity suspended this week due to the threat of continuing protests, following the lead of other state officials around the nation. Few protests and little if any violence have occurred since.

“It hurts my heart,” said Rep. Ed Clere, R-New Albany. “I hope we can find ways to look past political labels and come together as Americans.”

Even though members are concerned, the Black Legislative Caucus doesn’t fear for the future but hopes to make it better.

“This is an opportunity for us to move forward, to not dwell on the past four years of the anger and the discrimation,” Shackleford said.

FOOTNOTE: Kiara T. Calloway is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.