Hundreds rally downtown for Black Lives Matter

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Hundreds of Black Lives Matter supporters rallied in downtown Indianapolis Saturday evening.

The event was held outside the Indiana Statehouse. Many of those in attendance said they want their voices heard. They were filled with emotion and are hoping events like this encourage more people to get involved locally.

Hundreds chanted and held signs in the crowd.

“If we just sat in silence, nothing at all would happen. At least we are speaking and we’re doing something positive,” Bambi Alridge said.

Another supporter, Taylor Burton, said, “We want to inspire change and be a part of change. We’re sick of seeing people dying. Innocent people are dying.”

Rekeia Boyd, an event event organizer and the vice president of Don’t’ Sleep Indianapolis, said “we hope that more white people will wake up and see the privilege they have and see how that impacts those that are not white and see what they need to do to stop it. It is oppression.”

Many at the rally say they hope demonstrations like this inspire others to get involved.

“I’m hoping more people will organize and come together and inspire even deeper change. You know, put it in the street and not just here at the Statehouse,” Burton added.

“I don’t know what comes after this, but what I hope comes after this is peace — that our men will stop dying; that we will get justice,” Donnesha Washington said.

Indiana State Police and IMPD officers were on hand for the rally. There were no reports of violence.