About 40 people gathered outside the City-County Building on March 3 to protest the removal of Democratic Councilor Jesse Brown from his party’s caucus.

“We want full representation, and if our duly elected city councilor is unable to sit with the majority he was elected to participate in, then we don’t have that,” said Mark Latta, a near eastside resident who along with his wife organized the march.

The group first gathered in Fletcher Park, which is in Brown’s district. Brown joined his supporters on the 2-mile march as they walked down Mass Ave and Alabama Street, blocking traffic along the way. They carried signs that read “Not Very Democratic Caucus” and “Jesse Fights For IPS, We Fight For Jesse.”

Indianapolis City-County Councilor Jesse Brown, representing the 13th District of Downtown Indianapolis, tells the protesters what his concerns are with the current council members March 3, 2025, outside of the City-County Building. A group of protesters met in Fletcher Park on the near east side March 3, 2025, where they began their march along the Pogue’s Run Trail and Cultural Trail to the City-Council Building. The group was protesting various recent actions by the Indianapolis City Council. Credit: Doug McSchooler for Mirror Indy

Drivers honked; some in support, others in anger, seemingly because the protestors were blocking traffic at times.

Brown, whose District 13 includes parts of the near east side and downtown, has said he was expelled from the caucus after pointing out that some Democrats on council receive donations from pro-charter school groups like RISE INDY. Brown has urged support for Indianapolis Public Schools after state Republican lawmakers filed legislation that would force the district to share property tax revenue with charter schools.

Jack Killen, an advocate for community politics, pauses with the group as they approach the City-County Building.
Andrea Watts, of Indianapolis, creates a sign to hold during the march. Credit: Doug McSchooler for Mirror Indy
A group of protesters met in Fletcher Park on the near east side March 3, 2025, where they began their march along the Pogue’s Run Trail and Cultural Trail to the City-Council Building. The group was protesting various recent actions by the Indianapolis City Council. Credit: Doug McSchooler for Mirror Indy

The Democratic caucus, which is led by Councilor Maggie Lewis, said in a Feb. 4 statement that Brown was removed for focusing on “falsehoods” and for making “inappropriate accusations,” though the statement did not go into more detail. Brown remains on council and in the Democratic party, but he can’t caucus with other Democratic councilors. During caucuses, council members discuss strategy for how to handle city business.

Lewis declined to comment through a spokesperson.

For people like near eastside resident April Angermeier, Brown is someone who’s willing to speak up when others stay silent.

“Jesse has been very clear that he stands up for his beliefs and he stays true to that, and that’s something that we rarely see these days,” Angermeier said.

Peter Blanchard covers local government. Reach him at 317-605-4836 or peter.blanchard@mirrorindy.org. Follow him on X @peterlblanchard.

(Left) Jack Killen, an advocate for community politics, marches along. Credit: Doug McSchooler for Mirror Indy
(Center and right) Protesters march with signs. Credit: Doug McSchooler for Mirror Indy
Credit: Doug McSchooler for Mirror Indy
Mark Latta, a resident in Windsor Park and an organizer of march, addresses the gathering of people March 3, 2025, before heading out to march. A group of protesters met in Fletcher Park on the near east side March 3, 2025, where they began their march along the Pogue’s Run Trail and Cultural Trail to the City-Council Building. The group was protesting various recent actions by the Indianapolis City Council. Credit: Doug McSchooler for Mirror Indy
A group of protesters met in Fletcher Park on the near east side March 3, 2025, where they began their march along the Pogue’s Run Trail and Cultural Trail to the City-Council Building. The group was protesting various recent actions by the Indianapolis City Council. Credit: Doug McSchooler for Mirror Indy
Jordan Shea, a resident of the district represented by Jesse Brown, holds a sign up to stopped traffic as the group passes behind. A group of protesters met in Fletcher Park on the near east side, where they began their march along the Pogue’s Run Trail and Cultural Trail to the City-Council Building. The group was protesting various recent actions by the Indianapolis City Council. Credit: Doug McSchooler for Mirror Indy
A group of protesters met in Fletcher Park on the near east side March 3, 2025, where they began their march along the Pogue’s Run Trail and Cultural Trail to the City-Council Building. The group was protesting various recent actions by the Indianapolis City Council. Credit: Doug McSchooler for Mirror Indy
Credit: Doug McSchooler for Mirror Indy
Credit: Doug McSchooler for Mirror Indy
A group of protesters met in Fletcher Park on the near east side March 3, 2025, where they began their march along the Pogue’s Run Trail and Cultural Trail to the City-Council Building. The group was protesting various recent actions by the Indianapolis City Council. Credit: Doug McSchooler for Mirror Indy
A group of protesters met in Fletcher Park on the near east side March 3, 2025, where they began their march along the Pogue’s Run Trail and Cultural Trail to the City-Council Building. The group was protesting various recent actions by the Indianapolis City Council. Credit: Doug McSchooler for Mirror Indy

Creative Commons License

Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.

Local news delivered straight to your inbox

Mirror Indy's free newsletters are your daily dose of community-focused news stories.

By clicking Sign Up, you’re confirming that you agree with our Terms of Use.

Related Articles