INGOP Tried to Silence the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus, Reports Say Derogatory Words Used Against Black Leaders

The Indiana Democratic Party, the organization that advocates for the future of Indiana and its families, today issued the following statements from Indiana Democratic Party Chairman John Zody and Marion County Democratic Party Chair Kate Sweeney Bell in response to the clear disrespect the Indiana Republican Party showed toward the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus. According to reports, Members of the INGOP attempted to heckle Black leaders into silence, with one member appearing to have used a derogatory word against one of Indiana’s Black elected leaders: 

“The Indiana Democratic Party is profoundly disappointed but not surprised to learn about the Indiana Republican Party’s choice to heckle and boo members of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus into silence on the Indiana House floor. For far too long, Members of the INGOP have governed with an aura of invincibility and as if they are free from any sort of accountability for being inappropriate and unprofessional toward other Hoosiers. They are mistaken,” said John Zody, Chairman of the Indiana Democratic Party. “Democrats have frequently called on leaders like Governor Holcomb to hold their party leaders accountable since the insurrection on January 6 because we feared inaction could lead to greater problems like the one at the Statehouse today. Let’s make one last thing clear: if the INGOP was truly invested diversifying its party, then they would condemn the actions from its House Caucus, because silencing the voices of Indiana’s Black elected leaders amounts to nothing else but racism.” 

“Hoosiers are taught to respect one another, but it is clear these ideals are not the reality of the Indiana Republican Party. Today’s outburst during the people’s work is unacceptable,” said Kate Sweeney Bell, Chair of the Marion County Democratic Party. “It’s disheartening to see Members of the INGOP use childish taunts in an attempt to silence Indiana’s Black legislators when presented with perspectives other than their own. Hoosier Republicans owe Indiana’s Black leaders an apology.”