Indiana Dissents
INDIANA DISSENTS.
In its first few months alone,2025 has been a year of protest around the world, and the United States is no exception. Following the presidential transition of power, antigovernment and pro-human rights protests of all stripes have been recorded almost every day, and Hoosiers across the state have turned out, too. The Preface has kept a finger on the pulse: read on to discover more about civil assembly in Indiana from the Feb. 5 “National Day of Protest” to International Women’s Day and beyond. Visit our Indiana Dissents page for ongoing coverage of demonstrations around the Crossroads of America.
Feb. 5: National Day of Protest
Read the full story: Indiana joins national protest movement
By: Claire McKenna and Mira Costello
Staff-Writer & Editor-in-Chief
On Feb. 5, thousands of people across the nation gathered at their state capitol buildings and in other major cities to protest the policies and actions of the second Trump Administration, particularly those mirroring the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 Mandate for Leadership.
The event was named 50501 – standing for 50 states, 50 protests, one day – and was started online by users on Reddit and TikTok. The biggest protest in Indiana happened in Indianapolis, with close to 400 people in attendance.
The Indiana effort was kickstarted by Reddit user Christian Hess, who noticed that there wasn’t a main organizer for his state and soon took on the role.
“I realized there wasn’t a central person owning the Indiana side,” Hess said. “So I just made a Signal group so people had somewhere to go. The next thing I knew it was like, ‘Oh, I’m organizing this.’”
The protest started with a few words from Hess, thanking the crowd as they all stood in front of the Indiana State House.
“Thank you for coming out and being brave. Thank you for reminding people that it is part of our democracy to be involved,” Hess said. “That it is not bad to disagree with the government. That it is not wrong to oppose what the government does. That’s called a healthy democracy.”
After Hess and a local reverend spoke, the protesters began marching laps around the building. They shouted chants like “history has its eyes on you,” “this is what democracy looks like,” “Elon Musk was not elected” and “love, not hate, makes America great” as they held their signs high.
Other speakers read prepared remarks focused on calling out injustice and rallying the crowd to act. One young speaker read an original poem about transgender youth, expressing hopes for transgender people in the U.S. to be empowered to live fulfilling lives despite legislative attacks on their rights.
Although united around a shared opposition to the Trump Administration and Project 2025, attendees had a wide variety of causes that fueled their activism, evident in the range of signs displayed at the event. Protesters showed their passion for LGBTQ+ rights, women’s rights and abortion access, undocumented people’s rights and immigration policies, disability rights and the bombardment of the Gaza Strip.
Many of these protesters felt very deeply for the future of their own children, including Marisa DeYoung.
“I want my daughter to know that she can do what she puts her mind to,” DeYoung said. “I want this country to be someplace I am happy to raise my kids.”
As the four-hour protest passed its halfway point, Indiana State Senator Lonnie Randolph of Lake County came out of the State House to speak to the crowd. Despite low temperatures and drizzly conditions, protesters gathered close to hear his message.
“This State House right here belongs to you,” Randolph said. “The people that work here are your employees – they take directions from you. The problem is that they forgot that. It takes occasions like this, for your appearance, to remind them that you’re the boss and not them.”
Between enthusiastic cheers from the crowd, Randolph spoke about President Trump and Elon Musk, whom he called Trump’s “sidekick.” He discussed cuts to USAID and other federal programs, lamenting that “people are dying now because of him.”
Randolph also urged attendees to contact their representatives at the federal level through as many channels as possible.
“Let them know that they have to resist people like Trump,” he said. “You’ve got to let them know that, if in fact they do not, then you’re going to be coming after them and voting them out of office.”
Although Randolph expressed regret at the outcome of the election and some apprehension about the future, he left the crowd with words of encouragement.
“You can’t just do this just today and forget about it tomorrow. You’re going to have to be vigilant. You’ve got to be energetic. You’ve got to be motivated. You’ve got to be consistent,” he said. “You’ve got to let him know that you are here, and you’re going to be out here every time he does something.”
Click on each photo for more information.
“NO HUMAN BEING IS ILLEGAL ON STOLEN LAND.” Despite freezing temperatures, South Bend area residents gathered for their own satellite protest on the evening of Feb. 5, which included a visit from Valerie McCray, former Democratic candidate for the United States Senate. (Featured photo: Rafael Tortolero)
Feb. 8: ICE out of Indiana
“¡BRAUN, ESCUCHA: ESTAMOS EN LA LUCHA!” On Feb. 8, over 200 protesters gathered at the Indiana State House in Indianapolis to demand “ICE out of Indiana.” Attendees carried signs featuring slogans like “no human is illegal” and messages about keeping Immigration and Customs Enforcement out of local schools and communities. Many were in Spanish and advocated for the safety of immigrants from South and Central America, while others focused on protecting immigrants and refugees from countries in the Middle East.
Speakers included organizers from the Indianapolis Party for Socialism and Liberation, a representative of Jewish Voice for Peace and local teachers and social servants who testified about how ICE has affected their communities.
Despite the rain, protesters marched laps around Monument Circle. They chanted “no hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here,” “el pueblo unido jamás será vencido” and “money for jobs and education, not for war and deportation.”
(Featured photo: Mira Costello)
Feb. 17: “No Kings Day”
“NOT MY PRESIDENT’S DAY.” People in cities across the country gathered on Feb. 17, President’s Day, to protest the Trump Administration. In South Bend, over 100 local residents gathered at Jon Hunt Memorial Plaza to speak out against executive overreach, Elon Musk’s actions, cuts to the federal government. Many expressed fear of a Constitutional crisis, carrying signs with messages like “Make America follow the Constitution again.”
IU South Bend student Mira Costello, chief organizer of the event, gave opening remarks, followed by other local students, teachers and organizers. Attendees took turns with the megaphone, sharing concerns ranging from civil and voting rights to the loss of Medicare and Medicaid. Multiple protesters carried American flags, expressing a desire to “reclaim” what it represents.
(Featured photo: courtesy of Calvin Awald)
Note: Mira Costello is Editor-in-Chief of The Preface. This caption was reviewed by other staff before final publication to ensure fairness and mitigate conflict of interest.
March 8: International Women’s Day
“WHAT DO WE DO? STAND UP, FIGHT BACK!” On International Women’s Day, March 8, over 100 protesters gathered for a rally organized by the Hoosier Human Rights Initiative at Jon Hunt Memorial Plaza. Between noon and 3 p.m., the crowd heard from local organizers and elected officials, inluding County Council Member Jenn Shabazz. IU South Bend Women and Gender Studies Professor April Lidinsky also spoke, reminding protesters that pro-choice people are the statistical majority in the U.S. Speakers voiced their support for abortion access, opposed the S.A.V.E. Act (H.R. 22) and highlighted the important roles women play in the community. Many encouraged attendees to engage in mutual aid efforts and reach out within their communities outside of protests, and to call their elected representatives to demand town halls.
After community members had a chance at the microphone, attendees lined the sidewalk to show off signs with messages like “I love my trans sisters” and “People Demand: an End to the Patriarchy!”
(Featured photo: Mira Costello)
Note: Mira Costello, Editor-in-Chief of The Preface, is a member of the Hoosier Human Rights Initiative. This caption was reviewed by other staff before final publication to ensure fairness and mitigate conflict of interest.
