Dear Indy,
Following the death of community leader Ron G. Frieson last week, loved ones and neighbors gathered Monday night to pay their respects to the man who went by Ron Gee.
Mirror Indy reporter Mary Claire Molloy also attended the vigil to bring us this story. Here’s how it begins:
Candles lined the sidewalk near the Citgo gas station at 38th Street and Arlington Avenue while white balloons drifted in the wind on Monday night. This place became sacred; Ron G. Frieson, more commonly known as Ron Gee, was gunned down days earlier in his car next to pump number four.
Hundreds came, spilling out of cars that filled up at least two lots. In between tributes to the founder of Cease Fire Indy, people danced and sang, rapped and prayed. Children came with their grieving parents in strollers. A little girl sat on the curb, licking a rainbow lollipop, so far from the recent violence, yet so close to its memory.
This was a larger-than-life display for a larger-than-life man.
“This brother didn’t die for nothing,” Juard Barnes, a friend and fellow advocate, told the crowd. “He died to make sure your 12-year-old son doesn’t have to face this insanity.”
Frieson, 40, was a restaurant owner, community leader, father of three and fierce champion for non-violence. On July 18, he died by the same weapon he spent his life convincing others to drop. Police have not announced any arrests in the case.
Know someone who might like this newsletter?
Click here to forward this email to them.
In other news
- Around Indianapolis, residents weighed in on the likely prospect of Kamala Harris emerging as the Democratic nominee to take on former President Donald Trump. One thing going for Harris? The memes.
- It’s back-to-school season in Marion County, and IPS families can meet their kids’ teachers and see their classrooms during a series of events starting today. Check out the dates, times and locations here.
- Changes are on the way for I-65 on the southeast side of town. There’s a public hearing tonight at Frederick Douglass SUPER School 19, located at 2020 Dawson St. Get the details here.
Today’s weather from WTHR
Noticeably more dense Canadian wildfire smoke and haze today with unhealthy air quality. Showers and storms increase this afternoon and evening from a front that will disperse the smoke later Thursday.
What’s going on around the city
- Tomorrow, July 25: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, 125 S. Pennsylvania St., will host Elevance Health Rolling Rink for a night of roller skating from 4-9:30 p.m. Every Thursday through Sunday until Sept. 29, you can spend the night skating with the community. Entry is $10, with a $4 skate rental fee.
- Tomorrow, July 25: The Indianapolis Shakespeare Company will present “Riverside,” a play written by ML Roberts, at 8 p.m. at Riverside Park, 2441 N. White River Parkway E. Dr. In partnership with the New Harmony Project, the play tells the story of Black Indianapolis from the perspective of one family line spanning the course of three decades. Free, with a VIP reservation costing $25.
- Friday, July 26: Pride & Joy, an exhibition celebrating local art from artists in the LGBTQ+ community, will host a Farewell Friday reception from 6-9 p.m. at the Athenaeum, 401 E. Michigan St. Complimentary ice cream and a collage station will be available. Free.
— Breanna Cooper, arts and culture reporter
Looking for other things to do? Check out Mirror Indy’s events calendar.
Support Journalism
Be part of a local initiative to increase coverage of the
diverse needs of people living in our community.
What else we’re reading today
- Chalkbeat Indiana: Indianapolis Public Schools’ switch to a new curriculum this school year will have elementary school students accessing multicultural representation in the materials, including an autobiography of Nelson Mandela.
- Axios Indianapolis: How does Aliyah Boston handle the increased scrutiny now placed on WNBA stars like her? The Indiana Fever center said she needed some time to get accustomed to it. “We had to make that adjustment with millions of eyes watching us. So for me, I took a step back from social media to make sure I was just gonna do what I needed to do,” she said.
Notes from our Documenters
Last week, Indy Documenters Sherrita Niles and Stephanie Dolan attended the media opening for Mandela: The Official Exhibition at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.
Dolan interviewed Luvo Gugwana, a Mandela Washington fellow based at Purdue University.
Through the fellowship, young African leaders spend six weeks for training, networking and community service with a focus on engineering and agribusiness.
“It’s very important for people to learn about us, the projects we’re working on back in Africa and what Africa means to us,” Gugwana said.
Read more about the exhibition here.
— Ariana Beedie, community journalism director
Interested in being a Documenter? Here’s how.
Reflections
Next Friday, Aug. 2, we’ll be hosting a First Friday Mixer — and we hope you’ll join us!
We’re excited to introduce you to the people behind Play List, our new arts and culture newsletter that is an ode to the alt-weekly.
At the mixer, you can meet the creative mind behind Play List (my newsletter BFF Jennifer Delgadillo). You can also check out an exhibit featuring the art of Adrian Smith and Rebeka Sweetland, have some food and wine, and listen to music.
Mark your calendars: 6-8 p.m. on Aug. 2 at Schwitzer Art Gallery (2nd Floor of the Circle City Industrial Complex, 1125 Brookside Ave.).
And if you haven’t, sign up for Play List here!
Ryan
P.S. If you liked something about today’s newsletter, or didn’t, let me know at ryan.martin@mirrorindy.org. It helps us serve you better.
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
