Statement on the presence of nazis in downtown Indy

8/16/2025

The foundation of any strong democracy is the freedom of speech and assembly. Without it, we would be unable to share our ideas or express any criticism of our government. As the age-old saying goes, ‘I may not like what you say, but I will defend your right to say it.’ However, like most freedoms, there is a line, and hate speech is not free speech. However, while we might not agree with it, by law, hate speech is not necessarily illegal. While it might not be illegal, we must always call it out when we see it.

Today, August 16, a group of Nazis were spotted marching in downtown Indianapolis, carrying flags and shouting obscenities. While they had every right to be there and express their opinions, their views should be condemned whenever they rear their ugly head. Nazism is a hateful ideology. It is an ideology built on racism and the fundamental idea that the Aryan race is the master race. It is an ideology that carried out a genocide of a people and forever changed the course of human history. It is not an ideology that should be celebrated or remembered fondly. This is not Indiana. This is not Hoosier Hospitality. This is hatred, plain and simple.

25 years ago, something like this would have been unfathomable. But thanks to the modern political climate - one in which political violence is not only seen as acceptable by some, but as necessary - actions like these are commonplace. Make no mistake, events like these will continue to happen here in Indiana and across the nation. We cannot put the genie back in the bottle; political violence and extremism will only continue to grow, especially when we have a President and Executive branch that only fan the flames. 

If we want to stop these horrific displays of hatred, then we must change the political climate, and that starts by electing leaders who won't fan the flames of bigotry. We need leaders who unite us, who champion our differences, who stand up for the least among us. 

So let me say this one time, and one time only. Nazi Punks, FUCK OFF.