Starting from Margerum Fountain, the massive crowd of protestors spanned the entirety of the John T. Meyers Pedestrian Bridge as they marched shoulder to shoulder making their way to the Lafayette courthouse. After the massive crowd rounded the courthouse they made their way back to Tapowingo Park to listen to live music and speakers

Protesters demanded an end to the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, an end to the terror of ICE, a return to the rule of law, and disparaged the lack of accountability of the Trump administration.

“Today the war that no American asked for has reached a month in length,” said Lea Rush, a member of SDS at Purdue. “As a student I call on all American institutions of higher learning to immediately divest from their military industrial partners. We will not tolerate our schools being the intellectual and technological backbone of terror and genocide all across the world.”

It is clear that wide sectors of people are vehemently against this illegal and unpopular war of aggression. People are tired of billionaires sending young people to fight and die in their dirty wars and the No Kings protest are evidence that there is popular outrage against the Trump administration. People want real change and want it now.

The protest was organized by Indivisible. The No Kings Rally had attendees from various organizations including Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) at Purdue, JVP Indiana, Greater Lafayette DSA, and YDSA.

To get involved with SDS at Purdue follow us on Instagram @sdsatpurdue and attend our weekly planning meetings every Thursday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in Haas Hall room 101.

#LafayetteIN #IN #NoKings #PeoplesStruggles #StudentMovement

Lafayette, IN – On Tuesday, January 27, nearly 300 protesters gathered at the Tippecanoe County courthouse to protest the brutal execution of Alex Jeffrey Pretti by two federal agents in Minneapolis.

Protesters braved the brutal cold to demand an end to ICE’s occupation of Minneapolis and stood to honor Alex Jeffrey Pretti, Renee Nicole Good, Keith Porter, Ismael Ayala-Uribe, Johnny Noviello, and all people killed by ICE.

On the steps of the courthouse, speakers rallied the crowd in defiance of the Trump administration.

The demonstration was organized by Students for a Democratic Society at Purdue, Freedom Road Socialist Organization Indiana, Young Democratic Socialists of America at Purdue (YDSA), and Ayuda Mutua Lafayette Indiana (AMLI).

“We stand here today in solidarity with Chicago, with DC, with LA, with all our immigrant neighbors, because it is right to rebel. It is right to resist,” said Tavish Bryan of FRSO Indiana. “There will be no business as usual while ICE is terrorizing our streets, because these are our streets,” said Bryan.

Protesters marched around the courthouse block to the constant honks and cheers from cars in support. Community members and organizers spoke with local reporters to express their rage at the Trump administration and relay their hope, fueled by the strength of people standing together against ICE.

In a city a fifth the size of Minneapolis, not a single counter-protester was present in the face of such a large, energetic crowd.

“We saw a man murdered in the streets of Minneapolis, and we wanted to show solidarity. This is what ICE does when left unchecked. And we don't believe this organization should exist at all,” said a member of YDSA Purdue.

The crowd persevered even after the speakers finished. As the sun set, the volley of honks and cheers did not let up. “The people united will never be defeated!” rang from the crowd as the temperature fell and the night descended.

ICE's presence in Greater Lafayette is relatively small. Still, Indiana lawmakers have passed legislation requiring state, city and county police to cooperate with ICE or face severe consequences.

SDS member and FRSO cadre Lea Rush emphasized that ICE “will come here soon enough, we need to stand up in defiance before that happens.”

#LafayetteIN #IN #ImmigrantRights #ICE

Lafayette, IN – Around 1000 people circled the Tippecanoe County Courthouse on April 5 as part of the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest. The protest was organized by Greater Lafayette Indivisible and joined by an unexpectedly large number of people.

Amidst the energy of the protest a man named James Jordan, along with his wife Jessica Dee, came to a stop in their truck as protesters crossed the street in front of the courthouse.

This was no innocent occurrence. Jordan and his wife Dee, according to now deleted social media posts, have a history of attending rallies with malicious intent and this rally was no different.

Social media posts by Dee indicate that the duo intended to counter-protest the rally.

“This couple has a documented history of harassing protesters, LGBTQ+ individuals, Black residents, immigrants, and other targeted groups,” said AJ Dunn, a member of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO).

As Jordan and Dee came to a stop in their truck, Jordan exited the vehicle and began to harass protesters.

Aggressively invading personal space, shouting, repeatedly attempting to enter the crowd, and grabbing at people’s belongings, Jordan became a whirlwind of threats to the safety of the protesters.

In defense of those protesters, Jeremy Marks, a rally participant, headbutted Jordan after he had tried to grab a woman in the crowd.

After this Jordan retrieved a rifle from his car and began to threaten protest marshals and demonstrators alike, pointing the firearm at several people.

All the while, Jordan’s wife Jessica Dee screamed transphobic slurs at AJ Dunn.

The police were called and Jordan, as well as Jeremy Marks, were arrested.

Rifle-welding Jordan was released from police custody the same day with the Lafayette Police Department stating he had “acted in self-defense.”

Jeremy Marks was released on bail and is awaiting trial.

In response, local organizations and the community in Lafayette have gathered at city hall and called for the arrest of James Jordan. “People have gathered so much video, photographic, and eyewitness evidence and are sending it to the police as well as pressuring LPD and city officials to take action,” said AJ Dunn.

An investigation of Jordan has been reopened as the couple has fled town in a cowardly attempt to dodge accountability.

The people of Lafayette have shown they refuse to back down against violent Trump supporters and are not afraid to fight back. FRSO joins the people of Lafayette in calling for the arrest of James Jordan. We must stand up against violent reactionaries and protect each other.

The local community is gathering funds for Jeremy Mark's legal fees.

FRSO will be at the West Lafayette City Hall on May 5 to demand a safe haven resolution be passed to protect gender affirming care for patients and providers, and will be out in the streets on April 19 to continue the fight against Trump.

Follow us on social media @frso_indiana and follow @lafayetteindivisible to stay up to date.

#LafayetteIN #IN #InJusticeSystem #RightWingViolence #PeoplesStruggles #FRSO #Indivisible #Feature