Protesters filled the Indiana Statehouse’s lawn and sidewalks Saturday afternoon as part of a national day of action criticizing U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration.
The volunteer-led 50501 movement — which stands for 50 protests in 50 states on 1 day — has organized several national peaceful protests since February. The group is responsible for an April 5 “Hands off!” demonstration in Indianapolis that drew about 5,000 Hoosiers.
IndyStar has updated coverage from the Indianapolis protest, along with select Indiana and national coverage from our sister publications in the USA TODAY Network.
Rain-soaked protesters remain for event’s final hour
Annie Bowling’s rain-soaked sign was dripping marker ink down the wood handle and staining her hands red.
She is one of hundreds who remained as the rain started pouring down the final third of the three-hour protest.
“This is a testament to people in Indiana, one of the reddest states,” she said. “That shows you that we will not be deterred by some weather because we know what’s at stake.”
The 46-year-old drove from Bloomington to attend both Indy Pride and the “No Kings” protest because she wanted to stand up for those at risk and support the LGBTQ community.
“This is how we’re going to survive it,” she said. “We have to show up and we have to fight, but we also have to recharge and lean into joy.”
Saturday’s protest was broad in nature and included people drawing issue with a number of the Trump administration’s policies, including immigration, foreign relations and other socially conservative measures. Bowling said she was there to oppose it all.
“They’re coming for everyone and everyone’s freedoms and everyone’s rights,” Bowling said. “The sooner people realize that and stand up for that, the better chance we have stopping this in early stages.”
Bowling, like others, told IndyStar that the protest was an example of people coming together when the political climate has been especially divisive.
– Cate Charron
In West Lafayette, thousands gather in protest
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN — Organizers behind Tippecanoe County’s “No Kings” rally estimated up to 3,000 protesters were present Saturday morning, marching and chanting from one side of the Wabash River to the other.
As protesters began their march across the John T. Myers Pedestrian Bridge toward the courthouse, fellow organizers with megaphones staggered throughout the crowd started chants, kicking things off with a chant that interchanged the names of U.S. Rep. Jim Baird, U.S. senators Todd Young and Jim Banks.
“What’s Baird doing? Kissing the ring,” protesters chanted. “What do we say? We have no king.”
Read more from the West Lafayette protest here.
– Jillian Ellison
‘They have the right as much as we do,’ volunteer says of counter-protesters
Bill Smith, 55, of Indianapolis, was walking the Statehouse lawn with his handmade anti-Trump sign. He said he volunteers to watch as a legal observer and document any arrests.
Smith said he became involved with protesting during the 2020 Black Lives Matter movement. He was especially motivated to get involved because his wife is an immigrant.
Part of why he got involved with protest organizer 50501 was because the organizers emphasize peaceful demonstrations.
“If you have a violence like that, you detract (from) everybody else, then you give everybody else a bad name,” he said. “Counter-protestors: as much as disagree with them. They have the right as much as we do.”IndyStar journalists spotted a handful of counter-protesters who gathered around the main protest area.
– Cate Charron
Rainfall dampens protests as thousands keep marching, chanting
The anticipated rain that started off light intensified as the protest outside the Indiana Statehouse entered its third hour. Just before 2 p.m., a soaking rain began to fall in downtown Indianapolis.
A long band of rain stretching from Terre Haute northeast through the metro area and beyond has much of Central Indiana under a National Weather Service-issued flood watch, with continued rain expected throughout the afternoon and into the evening.
– Eric Larsen
2020 Trump voter: After Jan. 6, ‘I immediately regretted it’
Leland Lindahl, 47, said he voted for Donald Trump in 2020.
“As soon as January 6 hit, I immediately regretted it,” Lindahl said.
The Noblesville resident said he grew up in a conservative, Christian community and voted for Republicans throughout his life. He voted for a Democrat for the first time in 2024.
Lindahl, who still identifies as a Christian, said he believes the Republican party has abandoned principles like rule of law in favor of loyalty. He said while he doesn’t agree with everything some of the protesters believe, he came to the Statehouse because he didn’t want to sit on his couch and complain — he wanted to take action.
– Marissa Meador
Protesters cite ‘personal’ reasons for attendance
Janet Orozco, displaying an anti-MAGA sign written in Spanish, said through tears that, “As a first (generation American) I want to represent those before me. She said that she told herself that if those before her could travel here when scared, she could come to protest. “It’s personal for me.”
– Madyson Crane
Elsewhere in Indiana, hundreds gather in Muncie protest
On the Fallen Heroes Bridge carrying Wheeling Avenue over White River in Muncie, hundreds of critics of President Donald Trump gathered for a 90-minute protest aimed at the Republican president and his administration.
Many participants held “No Kings” yard signs distributed in recent days. Others held homemade signs, criticizing Trump and particularly his administration’s efforts to deport unauthorized aliens.
Other protesters displayed upside-down U.S. flags.
Read more from the Muncie protest here.
– Douglas Walker
Moment of silence held for slain Minnesota lawmakers
Speakers so far have included Democratic state Rep. Carey Hamilton, who emphasized the importance of voting in the midterm elections.
Hamilton started her speech with a moment of silence for the Minnesota lawmakers who were shot. Scott Johnson spoke further about the lawmakers, urging people to stay safe.
Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed, and state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were shot and wounded in “targeted shootings” in Brooklyn Park and Champlin, two neighboring suburban cities 10 to 20 miles outside Minneapolis.
– Marissa Meador and Jeanine Santucci
Thousands gathered outside Indiana Statehouse
Thousands of protesters are gathered outside the Indiana Statehouse as the “No Kings” protest enters its second hour. Sign-holding protesters are marching the streets, while a large crowd is chanting outside the building’s steps.
An organizer of the 50501 “No Kings” protest tracking the crowd with a clicker had counted 4,158 people by 1 p.m. They said they expect another 2,000 to 3,000 people could arrive.
– Eric Larsen and Marissa Meador
One detained after dispute over pro-Trump flag
Indianapolis police detained one protester after he ripped a pro-Trump flag from the hands of a counter-protester.The counter-protester ran after him but tripped and fell. His left elbow was bleeding as he showed officers his scuffed knee.
– Cate Charron
Organizers urge peaceful protest, vigilance as rally starts
Organizers started the protest as rain intensified. One organizer said that protesters should grab whistles to alert others if they become involved in a confrontation with a counter-protester.
“There are going to be some folks that may try to cause trouble, he said. “Don’t engage. Stay away from them. “
Whistles were placed in a bucket with a sign that states, “Drawing attention can stop bad action. See something happening, blow your whistle.”
Protesters are beginning to march and chant, “American has no kings” as passing cars honk to cheers of those gathered.
Joe Stuteville, a 68-year-old Vietnam veteran from Indianapolis, said he fears democracy is in danger. He’s here as a volunteer on organizers’ safety and security team. Some protesters may be here for different reasons, but none are paid, he said.
Stuteville also said he views the size of the military parade planned June 14 in Washington, D.C., as unnecessary.
“Speaking as a veteran, we don’t need military parades,” he said. Instead many veterans carry a sense of pride and honor within, he said.
– Cate Charron and Marissa Meador
Crowd starts to form outside Indiana Statehouse
People are starting to gather on the south end of the Indiana Statehouse.
Signs displayed are largely handmade with markers, paint and printed photos on cardboard and posters. With a light rain falling, several people have already opened umbrellas, including some with protest signage attached to them.
– Cate Charron
No road closures planned around Indiana Statehouse for ‘No Kings’ protest
A spokesperson for the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said there are no planned road closures for the protest at the Indiana Statehouse. The only closures are near Massachusetts Avenue for Indy Pride events.
Any additional closures will be announced on IMPD’s X account.
“IMPD fully respects the constitutional rights of all community members to peacefully assemble and express their views,” the statement read. “Our top priority is the safety of our visitors and all who call Indianapolis home.”
Indiana State Capitol Police, who has jurisdiction over the Statehouse grounds, said it is monitoring several events over the weekend and are prepared to respond if necessary.
Neither agency provided an expected crowd size for the planned protest.
– Cate Charron
How do protest organizers, police estimate crowd size?
One point of conversation around protests is always the measure of how many people attended. While event organizers use clickers and a wide variety of estimates to measure rally and protest attendance, police also use multiple methods as they provide event policing and crowd control.
Here’s what an Indianapolis Metro Police Department spokesperson told IndyStar about how their officers estimate crowd size, following the June 11 ICE protest outside of Gainbridge Fieldhouse:
“The IMPD estimates crowd sizes using a combination of aerial technology, on-the-ground observations, and experience from past events of similar scale. For last night’s demonstration, IMPD deployed drones to capture overhead images, which provided a clearer view of how many people were gathered in a particular area. Our officers also take into account crowd density and the size of the space. While no method is exact, this approach helps us make informed estimates that support our public safety response.”
– Eric Larsen
Get live weather updates for Indy Pride, No Kings protest and Indiana Fever gameday
It’s expected to be both busy and soggy June 14 in downtown Indianapolis, with the Indy Pride Parade, “No Kings” protest and Indiana Fever vs. New York Liberty game all drawing people to the heart of the city.
People heading downtown should be prepared for rain and potential thunderstorm activity, as the National Weather Service’s Indianapolis office is forecasting an 80% chance of rain, mainly before 8 p.m. Between a quarter and a half-inch of rain is possible, according to NWS.
Take a peek at live weather radar below before heading out.
– Eric Larsen
Indianapolis ‘No Kings’ protest
The Indianapolis No Kings Mass Protest, which will span noon to 3 p.m., will feature several speakers and music. Protests are planned across the state in 36 cities and towns, including Noblesville, Bargersville, Bloomington, South Bend, Evansville and Fort Wayne.
This weekend’s mass protest is branded as “No Kings,” which will be focused on the Trump administration’s actions that protesters believe are authoritarian and blur the line of democracy. Topics include Trump’s policy on immigration, education, federal spending cuts, reproductive rights and tariffs.
The day also coincides with Trump’s 79th birthday and the expansive 250th anniversary military parade planned in Washington, D.C.
Larger crowds are expected as Indy Pride is also hosting its annual Pride festival, parade, concert and other celebrations throughout the weekend. The Saturday parade will run from 10 a.m. to noon on Massachusetts Avenue, just before the Statehouse protest begins.
– Cate Charron
Find protest coverage from across the nation
IndyStar’s sister publications in the USA TODAY Network will provide protest coverage from across the nation on June 15. Find the latest updates at USA TODAY and other publications from across the network here:
– Eric Larsen
Photos from Wednesday’s Indianapolis ICE protest
This story was updated to add a video.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Thousands attend rain-soaked Indianapolis ‘No Kings’ Anti-Trump protest
Reporting by Cate Charron and Marissa Meador, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
