Indiana Black Legislative Caucus kicks off town hall series, discuss impactful legislation for Black community

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indiana Black Legislative Caucus kicked off its 2026 interim town hall series at the Julia M. Carson Government Center in Indianapolis on Saturday.

“We had a great turnout,” Democratic State Representative Earl L. Harris Jr said, one of the event’s panelists. “I was happy to see so many people here.”

The panelists, all state lawmakers from throughout Indiana, took turns highlighting legislation they consider impactful – both positive and negative – for Indiana’s Black community.

“It’s important for us to talk to the people that put us in office and share with them legislation that passed during the session, legislation that’s going to impact pretty much every part of their life,” Harris said.

For Harris, a key issue is protecting voters’ rights for minorities. He says these rights can be protected by staunch advocacy from citizens.

“You can’t hide during an election year,” Harris said. “You have to get out at community events, debates, show up, talk to the reps running for office or that are in office, talk to the senators. Let them know the importance of protecting voter rights and not destroying minority and women voices.”

Democratic State Senator Greg Taylor agrees, saying the Supreme Court’s recent ruling in the Louisiana v. Callais case, in which the court declared a Louisiana congressional map unconstitutional, is a step toward voti...