Indiana Black Expo Being Treated Like a Warzone

Stuff Black People Don’t Like
July 19, 2015

In August of 2014, Light of the World Church held a lock-in for black youth in Indianapolis. Too many black youth showed up, so the cops were called.

The church leaders still called the event a success, even though the police were called to break up fights and try to restore order… order, of course, being something black kids can’t create unless they’re locked-in a church to be kept out of trouble.

Cue the Indiana Black Expo in Indianapolis this weekend, an event requiring a “safety plan” enacted by the police so it can actually be held without violence. [Curfew, police to be in place Downtown this weekend: Precautions, including security cameras and anti-crime patrols, will help ensure safe final weekend of Indiana Black Expo, police officials say., Indy Star.com, July 17, 2015]:

Expect more police officers on horseback, on bicycles and in plainclothes if you’re visiting Downtown Indianapolis this weekend.

A curfew also will be in effect on Friday and Saturday nights for the final weekend of Indiana Black Expo. The curfew will require anyone 14 and younger to be off the streets by 11 p.m. and 15- to 17-year-olds by 1 a.m.

“We have a lot of guests coming into town, this is convention season,” said Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Chief Rick Hite. “I think we want to go beyond the celebration and say we are protecting our city.”

Deputy Chief of Homeland Security Michael Bates said officers will be involved with traffic control and crowd management. Security cameras also will be active throughout Downtown, so “it’s going to be very difficult for anybody with ill will in mind to get away with anything,” he said.

The safety precautions will occur as the popular event still faces some negative perceptions from an incident at Black Expo in 2010, when nine people were wounded in shootings Downtown. A suspect was arrested and convicted in those incidents.

“One incident does not dictate or tell a story about an area,” said Chris Bailey, IMPD’s North District commander.

“We’ve been very successful and fortunate the last few years as far as incidents down there,” Bates said.

Pastor Charles Harrison, leader of the 10 Point Coalition, said the anticrime organization will be continue the safety patrols that it has held Downtown for prior Expos.

The group also will have outreach workers present tonight at a youth lock-in at Light of the World Christian Church and sponsor basketball games tonight at Barnes United Methodist Church.

Homeland Security? Isn’t the need for Homeland Security officers to be deployed to the Indiana Black Expo in Indianapolis to try and keep the peace an incredible exposition of the type of character black people display?

Incredible…

Just incredible.

Now you know why black people are praying for peace before the expo.

But it all comes back to the Light of the World Church. [Church lock-in helps keep teens from getting locked up, WISH-TV.com, July 18, 2015]:

The stormy weather might have ruined plans for some, but hundreds of teenagers didn’t lose out on a chance to have fun while also staying out of trouble.

Light of the World Christian Church hosted its fourth overnight lock-in. It started around 7:00 pm Friday and lasted until 8:00am.

And it’s not just keeping teenagers out of the rain; it’s helping to keep them out of trouble.

On a Friday night, church might be the last place you’d expect to see teens lining up.

But at Light of the World Christian Church, there isn’t a place the pack of youth standing outside would rather be.

I know everybody that I know is going to be here,” said teen Isaiah O’Neal. “And everybody that knows me knows I’m going to be here.”

“Our youth have done a great job to reach to other teens in the community and all are welcome,” said Reverend Dr. David Hampton. “As many as we can fit at least.”The church can hold more than a thousand people, but organizers estimated a little more than 600 youth ages 12-19 years old attended.

Once inside the lock-in, students signed in and made their way into the gym for a night that included dance competitions, basketball tournaments, and guest speakers including IMPD Police Chief Rick Hite.

“It’s an opportunity for them to fellowship in a safe way in an environment where their parents can be, feel comfortable with their kids and the activities here are designed to enrich them and to encourage them,” said Rev. Hampton.

IMPD officers were also on hand supervising the event. Attendees also had to have their bags searched while a guard waved a metal detecting wand across their bodies.

“We have all these chaperones and like security, so (parents) know that their child is not going to harmed or be out doing something they shouldn’t be,” added O’Neal.

But organizers said the teens aren’t at the lock-in because they’re trouble makers.

They said event is to make sure trouble doesn’t find them.

“As a matter of fact, I can vouch that most of these teens here are excellent students,” said Rev. Hampton.

Homeland Security is needed for a reason; the exact reason black youths are encouraged to be “locked-in” at the Light of the World Church.

Just so the Indiana Black Expo in Indianapolis can be held without black violence… this goes far beyond racial profiling, for it’s the ultimate exposition of black people’s character in America you’ll ever find.