Indianapolis, IN

Remembering Dr. King’s 1959 speech in Indianapolis

Published

2 years ago

January 12, 2024

Remembering Dr. King’s 1959 speech in Indianapolis

Claudia Polley was around 10 years-old when her parents brought her to the Fall Creek YMCA in Indianapolis to hear a speech from Martin Luther King Jr.

The date was December 11, 1959. It was King’s second appearance in Indianapolis — he’d spoken a year earlier at the Cadle Tabernacle on December 12th of 1958. Both events were organized by the Senate Avenue YMCA’s Monster Meetings, a historic series of talks organized by Black leaders in Indianapolis.

The Monster Meetings started in the early 1900s and were held regularly in the city until the early 1960s. Other prominent figures featured at the Monster Meetings include Olympic gold medalist Jesse Owens, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Thurgood Marshall.

King’s 1959 speech at The Fall Creek YMCA was titled “Remaining Awake Through A Revolution.” There are no known recordings of King’s address, but local papers provided extensive coverage.

“America is in danger of producing guided missiles and misguided men,” King told the audience of 900. Adding, “You can hear the distant rumblings of discontent from those who have been segregated and humiliated for centuries, crying out for freedom and determined to end their exploitation.”

When I spoke with the historian and preservationist Claudia Polley, she couldn’t recall the exact themes Kings addressed during his 1959 Indianapolis appearance. Instead, she recalled the aura and inspiration King brought to his Indiana audience.

That inspiration eventually led Polley to create the Urban Legacy Lands Initiative, an organization dedicated to preserving Black history in Indiana.

I spoke with Polley last year, and she shared her memories of listening to Dr. King.

KYLE LONG: In March of 1959, Martin Luther King Jr. spoke at the then newly constructed Fall Creek YMCA.
You told me your parents thought it was important for you to be exposed to this and you got to see Dr. King speak at the Fall Creek YMCA. What do you remember about that anything you want to share about that experience?
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CLAUDIA POLLEY: I remember that well, one, Dr. King was an amazing personage. And his aura was astounding. Now I was all of just 10 years old, even I’m not even sure I turned 10 at that point.

And it was wonderful to look around at all the adults that were there and how intent they were at listening to what he had to say. Because Indianapolis at that point was trying to figure out how it fit in this movement, this freedom movement that was happening in the United States and Indianapolis was never out in front in terms of being rebellious.
But the powers that be had decided that it was time for Indianapolis to move forward, there should be a lot of the de facto segregation that was in place that needed to stop. And so having Dr. King there, having him there for a monster meeting at the newly opened Fall Creek YMCA was pretty extraordinary.
And what I remember is the feeling I remember a little bit about what he said but it was the feeling of purpose that was in the room. It was the extraordinary feeling of of the aura that he gave off from the stage that inspired all of us to do better, and to figure out how we fit into this new world.

Long: For WFYI, I’m Kyle Long.

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Indianapolis, IN

Halftime: Seahawks lead Patriots, 9-0

Published

13 minutes ago

February 9, 2026

Press Room

Seattle Seahawks defensive end Rylie Mills, right, sacks New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, left, during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

SAN FRANCISCO (WISH) — The Seahawks head into halftime leading the Patriots, 9-0, in Super Bowl LX.

The Seahawks got on the scoreboard in the first drive of the game, with Jason Myers making a 33 yard field goal.

Myers also added a 39 yard field goal and a 41 yard yard field goal in the second quarter.

The Seahawks defense was dominant, forcing the Patriots into punts on their first five possessions of the game. The Patriots had just 51 total yards in the first half.

Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold was 9-for-22 passing for 88 yards.

Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III had 14 carries for 94 yards in the first half.

Patriots quarterback Drake Maye was 6-for-11 passing for 48 yards.

The Patriots are set to receive the ball to start the second half.

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Indianapolis, IN

Man Killed after Rear-Ending Excavator in Indianapolis

Published

12 hours ago

February 8, 2026

Press Room

Man Killed after Rear-Ending Excavator in Indianapolis

Source: WISH-TV / WISH-TV

INDIANAPOLIS — One person died in a crash late Saturday night, according to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.

Officers arriving on East Washington Street, between Arsenal Avenue and Oriental Street, found a GMC pickup truck that had rear-ended a parked excavator surrounded by safety cones and was on fire.

The truck driver died at the scene. While investigators believe speed was a factor, they are still determining if drugs or alcohol played a role.

Anyone with information is urged to call IMPD detectives at 317-327-6549.

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Indianapolis, IN

Analysts and celebrities make Super Bowl picks

Published

1 day ago

February 8, 2026

Press Room

Analysts and celebrities make Super Bowl picks

SAN FRANCISCO (WISH) — Just like every Super Bowl, everybody has an opinion on who is going to win the biggest game in sports.

Celebrities and members of the media on Radio Row weighed in on who they think is going to win the matchup between the Patriots and the Seahawks.

Former NFL quarterback and NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky – Seahawks

“Seattle. Seattle and the Rams were the two best football teams for me over the past three plus months. I truly felt whoever won the NFC was going to be the Super Bowl champion.”

NFL Network host Kyle Brandt – Patriots

“Well, everybody loves the Seahawks, which makes me kind of like the Patriots. There’s one thing I don’t want to do right now and I don’t want to bet against Mike Vrabel. I know they don’t have the same personnel. I don’t have the same eye test or tape. I’m starting to get a little twitch in my finger about the Patriots.”

Former NFL linebacker and NFL analyst Emmanuel Acho – Seahawks

“All strategy, logic, and film points to the Seahawks. Seahawks got more dudes. At the end of the day, players make plays. And Seahawks got more players. Patriots are tough, well-coached. They got dudes too, Milton Williams, Christian Gonzalez, but they just ain’t got enough bullets in the chamber.”

Actor and comedian Keegan-Michael Key – Seahawks

“Seattle. The defense is going to take over. Just what the deal is, left side of the Patriots line, little compromise, defense is going to get through. They’re going to get to Drake May at least twice.”

Former NFL linebacker and NFL analyst Manti Te’o – Seahawks

“I think when I look at both of these teams, the Seattle Seahawks are the more dominant defense. It’s going to come down to the defense. If I had to make a choice, I’d have to lean a little bit towards Seattle because of that defense.”

Former NFL quarterback Matt Hasselbeck – Seahawks

“I’m absolutely hoping for and planning for a parade in Seattle after the game. But if not, I live in Boston. So I mean, there’s a parade there too. But you know who I’m rooting for.”

Kickoff for the Patriots and Seahawks matchup in The Big Game is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Sunday.

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