Supreme Court lifts ban on state aid to religious schooling
The Supreme Court on Tuesday made it easier for religious schools to obtain public funds, upholding a Montana scholarship program that allows state tax credits for private schooling.
First Amendment
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Women sue 4 Indianapolis officers, claiming excessive force amid protests
Two women have filed an excessive force lawsuit against four Indianapolis police officers after video was released of officers using batons and pepper balls to subdue the women at a protest last month over the death of George Floyd.
Fort Wayne protesters sue police for ‘violent and inappropriate actions’
Protesters claiming Fort Wayne law enforcement fired teargas canisters, flashbang grenades and rubber bullets into peaceful demonstrations filed a lawsuit Friday in federal court seeking to stop the use of chemical agents and projectiles.
Purdue expels student for racist statements on social media
Purdue University President Mitch Daniels has expelled an undergraduate student for “racist and despicable” statements he made on social media. Purdue said in a news release Tuesday that Daniels determined that repeated statements posted by Maxwell Lawrence “appear plainly intended to incite others and therefore create a risk of public safety issues in the current environment.”
Councilman who called Black Lives Matter protesters ‘uneducated’ resigns
A northeastern Indiana county councilman has resigned days after he sparked outage by saying during a council meeting that Black Lives Matter protesters were “uneducated” and lamented that they “breed.”
Indy Lawyers for Black Lives’ ‘call to action’ brings solidarity
Eyes and ears of those gathered on the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law lawn Friday were trained on members of the Indianapolis legal community calling for action to push for racial equality.
IU to review names of buildings, structures at all campuses
Indiana University plans to review the names of all buildings and structures across its nine-campus system following the school’s decision to rename an intramural center that once honored a segregationist after its first black basketball player.
Councilman apologizes for calling protesters ‘uneducated’
A northeastern Indiana county councilman has apologized for calling Black Lives Matter protesters “uneducated” and lamenting that they “breed.”
Bolton critique of Trump could define tell-all book court battles
The White House fight with former national security adviser John Bolton is the latest chapter in a lengthy history of Washington book battles, yet it will likely define future cases between the U.S. government and former employees determined to write tell-alls.
Indianapolis lawyers hosting ‘Call to Action’ for racial equality
As demonstrations and calls for criminal justice reform continue nationwide, a group of Indianapolis lawyers have organized a “Call to Action” to highlight the role lawyers can play in the push for racial equality. The new organization Indy Lawyers for Black Lives will host a Juneteenth event Friday at IU McKinney School of Law.
Roncalli, archdiocese lose bid to limit discovery in fired counselor’s discrimination suit
The Indianapolis Archdiocese and an affiliated high school have once again lost a bid to limit discovery in a fired employee’s same-sex discrimination lawsuit to the question of whether the plaintiff’s claims fall under the First Amendment’s “ministerial exception.”
Lawsuit challenges IMPD actions against protesters
Indy 10 Black Lives Matter and the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana have sued the city of Indianapolis, seeking to end the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department’s use of chemical weapons and projectiles against protesters.
Man who protested brother’s shooting by police fatally shot
A southern Indiana man who helped organize recent protests in seeking answers to his brother’s police-action shooting death has been fatally shot, authorities said.
Minivan driver charged after striking Indianapolis protesters
A woman who allegedly struck pedestrians with her minivan during a Monday protest on Monument Circle has been charged with felony criminal recklessness.
Prosecutor probing Indianapolis cops’ beating of black woman
A prosecutor said he has opened a criminal investigation into Indianapolis police officers who were caught on video using batons to subdue a black woman at a protest over the death of George Floyd.
Protests turn to rage
Peaceful protests in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd on the last weekend in May in downtown Indianapolis turned violent with police launching tear gas and protesters vandalizing and destroying businesses. Windows were shattered, stores were looted, fires were set and graffiti was spray-painted everywhere. Protests took place across the state including in Evansville, Jeffersonville Fort Wayne, Hammond, Michigan City, South Bend, and Lafayette.
Attorneys despair, but see reason for anger in the streets
Following a weekend of violent protests in Indianapolis that damaged many downtown businesses, attorney Maurice Scott of Scott Legal & Consulting cautioned against getting distracted by bricks and mortar. “The focus should not be on the property damage,” Scott said. “The focus should be on the people who are not being heard, not being seen and not being part of the decision-making process.”
Asian Pacific American bar speaks out against racism, calls for legislative action
As protests continue nationwide over racial inequities in the criminal justice system, the local chapter of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association is offering its support for the black community while encouraging peaceful protests and legislative action.
ISBA offering ‘legal observer’ protest training tonight
Amid continuing national protests following the police killing of George Floyd, the Indiana State Bar Association is offering free “legal observer” training today to those who want to help protect the rights of peaceful protestors.
Incoming McKinney dean Bravo: ‘Failure to speak up would let down the law school and legal community’
The incoming dean of Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law says in a letter today that she has a duty and obligation as the school’s first black leader to speak out in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis and protests that followed.