During floor debate of the Indiana House of Representatives on Thursday, February 18th, Black legislators were affronted while speaking on House Bill 1367.

Several House Republicans began to "boo" and verbally object to Rep. Greg Porter's discussion of the bill's racially discriminatory nature. Rep. Vernon Smith was also met with "boos" from Republican lawmakers after detailing his own experience being discriminated against as a Black man. Soon after, Republican Rep. Jim Lucas walked out of the Chamber in protest to Rep. Smith's testimony. Following these events, as Rep. Vanessa Summers was talking with Rep. Jim Lucas about his disrespectful behavior, she was confronted by Republican Rep. Sean Eberhart.  That is when Rep. Summers and Rep. Eberhart got into an exchange and Rep. Summers tried to apologize.

Not to be outdone, Republican Rep. Alan Morrison approached and verbally accosted Rep. Vernon Smith as he was washing his hands in the bathroom.  Even as Rep. Smith was leaving the bathroom Rep. Morrison followed him in the hallway and continued his attempts to intimidate.  This occurred a mere hours after the Republican’s meeting.

As members of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC), it is our duty to serve and uplift the voices of Black and Brown Hoosiers. The events that occurred in the Chamber were unacceptable, and the lack of accountability on behalf of the House Republicans demonstrate a lack of understanding that if accountability does not occur, this type of behavior, or worse, could happen again.  Not only were members of the IBLC disrespected, so was the institution in which we serve, the Indiana House of Representatives. 

We demand that Speaker Todd Huston and Governor Eric Holcomb implement consequences for the actions of Rep. Morrison and other members of the House Republican Caucus who disrespected the Chamber. We also demand the establishment of mandatory racism and implicit bias training, as Rep. Robin Shackleford called for last summer. These are only the first steps towards healing, but they are necessary actions to prevent further misconduct from Indiana legislators and to prevent a hostile work environment.

How You Can Help:

• Sign this petition. Support the members of the IBLC and stand in solidarity against these actions by signing and sharing this petition.

• Make your voice heard. Contact Speaker Huston and Governor Holcomb to share your disapproval concerning these events. 

• Stay informed. Receive updates about IBLC events, including advocacy trainings and the Call to Action.