Indiana 50501 Protest 2/5/25 - Updates & Clarifications

Hi there! I, along with a few others, have been working to organize the protest efforts for Indianapolis tomorrow to give citizens a platform to voice their opposition to Project 2025 and its impacts on our state. We are expecting around 100 people from our group (fingers crossed!).

There has been a lot of chatter, or a potential counter Op, that this is a 'Trap' or 'false flag' operation.

I have addressed those thoroughly in other posts / comments, but will restate the main points here:

  1. 'The Original Posters vanished'. This is a grassroots effort which was originally started on r/50501 by some inexperienced individuals with limited contact to organizations such as Political Revolution. Yes, the original accounts posting it were deleted, why? Because they were bullied off the platform. In the meantime, the amazing people at Political Revolution helped very rapidly build out a discord server and documentation.
  2. 'Permits'. - we now have a permit thanks to the efforts of the 50501 group
  3. 'Lack of Documentation'. This is fair. Frankly, I'm just a guy who is trying his best to take the idea presented of 50501 and make it a reality. In response to this, I have created a document available HERE, which I have distributed to all members in our SIGNAL CHAT. This document includes resources both provided by the main 50501 branch and custom info for locality:
  • Talking Points
  • Media Training
  • Safety and Tips
  • Phone Scripts / Numbers to Federal Congresspeople
  • Phone Numbers to Local Congresspeople
  1. 'Safety concerns'. I am working hard to make sure we have clearly called out First Aid members, HI-Viz vests available for those who can make decisions, as well as local walkie comms. I will have snacks and water with me, and my main goal will be trying to make this as safe and peaceful a protest as can be. We are not here to cause damage, riot, or break things - but peacefully use our 1st amendment rights to make our voices heard. Members will be escorted back to their vehicle for safety reasons. Parking advice has been called out in the document. I am actively working with Capitol Police so there are no surprises and they are aware.
  2. 'This wont do anything'. While this cynicism is understandable, saying it won't do anything is patently untrue. It will not result in immediate change, no - but it will make us feel that we did something, made our voices heard, connect us with a community of likeminded individuals, and reassure us that not everyone is willing to applaud as democracy dies. They want you tired, exhausted, and not engaging. They want you worn out and feeling hopeless. We have chosen to relentlessly engage until the ability is taken from us. Because we can, because we feel we must.
  3. 'This is bad OpSec'. Unless you expect a very small team to authenticate everyone's identity, which few would be willing to provide considering the circumstances, then I don't know what you think should be done. We are not going to let the potential of saboteurs stop us from expressing our rights. What we will do is keep an eye out and discourage any and all activities which could hurt our message and peaceful right to assembly. Obviously you should always engage in activities which are within your risk tolerance. Things have reached a point that I myself and clearly others have decided we must act, regardless of potential consequences.

SPEAKERS Updated- Will update as more confirm. I have reached out to the entire senate and house democratic caucuses, as well as multiple faith and civil rights orgs in Indy.

  1. State Representative (D) - actively working with
  2. Retired United Methodist Minister Fry
  3. Community Speakers

AGENDA

This is a long protest. 5 hours (the permit time) is extremely long, and we will be spacing it out with marching, speakers, stories, chants, and activities like sign making. We have a potential Dem Representative guest who may come speak, we will adjust the schedule for them.

  • 12 - 12:15 Gather and group.
  • 12:15 - 12:30 Safety briefing and introduction.
  • 12:30 - 12:45 Opening Remarks
  • 12:45 - 1 Chants!
  • 1 - 1:15 Speaker - Reverend Janet Tiebert
  • 1:15 - 1:45 Call Flood Campaign
  • 1:45 - 2 HYRDATION / SNACK CHECK!
  • 3 -      Speaker -  Kelly Snider
  • 3:15 - 3:30 Chants! Marches for warmth!
  • 3:30 - 4:00 Sign Making
  • 4 - 4:15 Speaker - Jose Gispatcho
  • 4:15 - 4:30 Chants! More Marches for warmth!
  • 4:30 - 5 Speaker - Closing Remarks & Next Steps