Indiana Democratic party 1-30-21 Weekly Radio Address

Chairman John Zody and the Indiana Democratic Party 1-30-21 Weekly Radio Address:

Holcomb’s disrespect toward teachers continues in his COVID-19 response plan. After initially signaling he would classify teachers as “essential” for vaccine access, the state suddenly pivoted toward an age-based program. 

TRANSCRIPT:

This is Chairman John Zody, bringing you the weekly message for the Indiana Democratic Party.

Last year, thousands of Hoosiers braved a pandemic to lend their voice and their call to end systemic racism across the country. The Black Lives Matter movement sparked a conversation from urban cities to our small towns about why our state and nation must do what we can to level the playing field and deliver true equity for all Black and Brown Hoosiers. 

The BLM Movement inspired the conversation, but now the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus is taking action by introducing a new agenda that would start the process of creating total equity for all Hoosiers and not just a select few. 

The IBLC’s agenda is far-reaching and forward-thinking, and its hybrid approach will continue the important conversations from last summer. From banning chokeholds to implementing de-escalation tactics in law endorsement and by installing a student support program for our Black, Brown, and underserved students — State Representative Robin Shackleford and the rest of the caucus is looking to solve today’s challenges while also creating structural change to the future. 

The Indiana Democratic Party hopes the rest of the Indiana General Assembly joins the IBLC in passing this important legislation for our Black and Brown communities. 

Democrats have been on offense on the issues of education as well. During this month’s State of the State Address, Hoosier Democrats slammed Governor Eric Holcomb for breaking his promise to provide Indiana’s public school teachers a well-deserved pay raise. Consistently throughout 2020, Holcomb delivered campaign speeches and even used last year’s State of the State Address on this very issue — but without warning, he’s dropped it from his agenda. 

Holcomb’s disrespect toward teachers continues in his COVID-19 response plan. After initially signaling he would classify teachers as “essential” for vaccine access, the state suddenly pivoted toward an age-based program. 

Hoosier Democrats are not attacking our seniors when we say the state can walk and chew gum at the same time. We can help our teachers while also taking care our health care staffers and our seniors who are receiving their vaccinations. Indiana has a great infrastructure in place for vaccine distribution, and it’s time Governor Holcomb was acting. He must make teachers a priority so our essential workers can open schools to in-person instruction again, and in doing so, we are one small step closer to a return to normalcy. 

Hoosiers, we are in a new era of politics. It’s why the Indiana Democratic Party is asking everyone to join us in this new movement for a better tomorrow. Issues are important, but it’s become clear the Democrats’ fight moving forward is about literally protecting the democracy and values we hold as Americans. It’s about protecting our institutions and our freedoms. 

I hope you can join the Democrats in this new effort, and I implore those who are listening to consider stepping up and running for office yourself. Whether it’s through municipal, state, or federal elections, let’s all do our part and elect leaders who will protect our American values, and not the values of fringe politics. 

Stay safe, Hoosiers. Take care of yourselves. And mask up. 

Thank you for listening.