In June 2025, Lauren Roberts stood before the Indianapolis City-County Council to speak publicly about the abuse she experienced at the hands of a powerful former city official. Instead of being heard, she was forcibly removed from the meeting—physically escorted out by sheriff’s deputies at the direction of then-Council President Vop Osili.

This wasn’t just a failure of leadership. It was a violation of Roberts’ right to speak and a painful act of silencing against someone sharing her experience of sexual harassment and abuse. The meeting was public. The harm was public. And now, the accountability must be public too.

Lauren Roberts has filed a tort claim against the city, alleging that her removal was not only wrong but unlawful—causing her lasting physical and emotional harm. News footage captured the moment. Community members in the room shouted “shame!” as it unfolded. But months later, the city has not taken public responsibility.

This petition calls on the Indianapolis City-County Council, Mayor Joe Hogsett, and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office to:

• Issue a full and public apology to Lauren Roberts, acknowledging the harm done to her at that June 9 council meeting.
• Provide a fair financial settlement to Roberts in response to the physical and emotional distress caused by the incident.
• Adopt clear, public protections for people speaking during council comment periods, with special guidelines for survivors of trauma or abuse, to ensure no one is ever silenced in this way again.

What happened to Lauren Roberts should never happen to anyone—especially not in a public forum where truth and accountability should be welcomed. If elected officials can’t protect the public’s right to speak, they have no business in public service.

Sign this petition to demand that Indianapolis leadership do the right thing: apologize, compensate, and protect survivors like Lauren in the future.

Photo: HG Biggs/IndyStar