Lafayette’s protests took place under the first clear, blue sky in many days.  Organizers estimated that 1,000 people showed up at the Courthouse this afternoon.  One line or people extending several blocks along the sidewalk marched from Democratic Headquarters on Main Street, guided by the sound of fife and drums.  Another group came from points south.  A few songs entertained the crowd as it arranged itself, then the Star-Spangled Banner was sung and the speeches began.

Local government stepped up to the task of our admirably and adroitly.  At the end of the rally, the organizers said that the County Commissioners (largely Republican) cooperated fully. Mayors Roswarski (D-Lafayette) and Dennis (R-West Lafayette) were present in solidarity, though only Dennis gave a speech. The Lafayette Police and protestors tried to maintain a lane of traffic on Columbia Street, but eventually LEOs shut Columbia Street south of the Courthouse down so the crowd had room to stand.  After the rally, participants dispersed peacefully, though many stayed downtown to visit restaurants and bars.

One strange element of this rally was that three of the speakers lavished praise on our community.  Sheila Klinker (D-Lafayette) declared that the rest of the state looks upon our area as a leader and good example.  NAACP President Sadie Harper-Scott claimed that most of us were members of the NAACP because we tend to do the right thing.  (She may not have been so sanguine last spring amid allegations of police misconduct toward an African-American they arrested.)  The head of the YWCA boasted about our new domestic violence shelter for women, children and men, but expressed fear that Trump would cut funding for such programs.

Several times during the rally, speakers urged us to call our representatives;  one suggested that we visit Todd Rokita’s office (MWF, 9 am – 4 pm) and drop off a note.

The J and C reported that the suspected murderers of John Lawrence Byler both had prior convictions for domestic violence.  Wesley Hampton and Aarron Vance allegedly killed Byler in his house on Center Street sometime before the police were called to Byler’s home Monday morning.  Their convictions also include narcotics dealing.

Mother Jones Magazine says that The Hill magazine found that Trump may plan to cut funding for grants to local programs fighring violence against women.  There is a notorious progression from cruelty to animals to homicide — how much more likely it must be when a murderer-in-training dulls his conscience by beating other humans!

 

Here are the latest office addresses and phone numbers of the Senators and Congressman who (ostensibly) represent Greater Lafayette in Congress. This information was copied from their Congressional websites.

Representative Todd Rokita

Lafayette Office:
 230 N 4th Street, Room 222, Lafayette, IN 47901
 Phone: (765) 838-3930
 Fax: (765) 838-3931

Washington, D.C. Office:
 2439 Rayburn House Office Building
 Washington, DC 20515
 Phone: (202) 225-5037
 Fax: (202) 226-0544

Senator Joe Donnelly

Indianapolis Office:
 115 N. Pennsylvania Street Suite 100
 Indianapolis, IN 46204
 Phone: (317) 226-5555
 Fax: (855) 772-7518

Washington, D.C. Office:
 720 Hart Senate Office Building
 Washington, D.C. 20510
 Phone: (202) 224-4814
 Fax: (202) 224-5011

Senator Todd Young

Indianapolis Office:
 46 East Ohio Street
 Suite 462
 Indianapolis, IN 46204

Washington, D. C. Office:
 B33 Russell Senate Office Building
 Washington, DC 20510
 Phone (202) 224-5623

A Women’s March in solidarity with the Women’s March in DC tomorrow will take place at 2:00 pm at the Tippecanoe Courthouse in Lafayette.  The NWS forecast is for partly sunny weather with temperatures in the upper 50s.

 

Normal daytime temperatures are in the mid-30s.  But if we have to have unusual warmth, Saturday is as good a day as any.