STATEHOUSE – In the wake of an unprecedented spike in overdose deaths, Indiana’s State Senate is poised to pass HB 1300, a bill that would end charitable bail exacerbating the overdose crisis and mass incarceration in Indiana. By restricting the ability of organizations and individuals to pay bail on behalf of someone arrested for a crime, HB 1300 would result in more Hoosiers being forced to stay in jail just because they are poor. No matter what we look like or where we’re from, Hoosiers want our families to be safe, our voices to be heard, and our rights to be respected. But some politicians have spent the 2022 session trying to divide and scare us by proposing policies like HB 1300.
On February 24th, over fifty rural and urban Hoosier families will come together from across the state to voice their opposition to HB 1300 through a press conference featuring stories of directly impacted Hoosiers, a white paper report release, and a children’s march around the Statehouse. Whether we grew up in a small town or in Indianapolis, we know what keeps us safe: living in communities where people of every color and background have fair wages, great schools, and affordable healthcare, where we address problems with proven solutions like social support instead of ever more militarized police. Pointing the finger at people struggling to make ends meet or with substance use will not end our overdose crisis or prevent crime.
What:
- Release of “Putting Hoosier Families Last: The Indiana General Assembly in 2022,” a white paper report
- 11:30 am Press Conference
- Children’s March
When: Thursday, February 24th from 11:30 am-2:30 pm
Where: Indiana Statehouse, 2nd Floor South Atrium
Who:
- 50+ Hoosier families and kids from across the state
Confirmed Speakers:
- Carissa Miller, Floyd County Hoosier Action
- Tamara Harris, Marion County Hoosier Action Leader
- Chuck Thrawley, Morgan County Hoosier Action Leader
- Karen Fisher-Bledsoe, Marion County Hoosier Action Leader
- Jessica Savage, Bartholomew County Hoosier Action Leader
- Jennifer Smith-Margraf, Vice President of the Indiana State Teachers Association (ISTA)
- Jerrica Hall, Scott County Hoosier Action Leader
- Pastor Amanda Meade, Clark County Hoosier Action Spiritual Leader
