Indianapolis, IN
Peace on the Plaza: Community building through basketball
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — While fireworks are the centerpiece of most Independence Day celebrations, one July 4th event in Indianapolis focused on bringing unity through athletic competition.
“Peace on the Plaza” was held at Gainbridge Fieldhouse Saturday afternoon and evening. The focal point of the event was a 3-on-3 basketball tournament featuring eight teams with young men who have ties to area nonprofits and other community organizations, like IndyPeace.
Shardae Hoskins, Administrator for Community Violence Reduction for the City of Indianapolis, said the participants were, “a bunch of teams that all play together often, and are all a part of mentoring or other community organizations… We really wanted to highlight those teams and give them an opportunity to play on such a big stage.”
The event was part of the city’s violence reduction strategy.
“Communities that have meetings, communities that have parks or opportunities for each other just to gather with each other, also have reduced violence,” Hoskins said. “Community builds peace.”
The teams were coached by people like Chauncey Anderson, a life coach who works with young adults to help them become productive citizens.
“My team got knocked out early, I’m kinda in my feelings about that,” Anderson said, smiling. “But they did (well), they held the fort down. And at the end of the day, they showed good sportsmanship and they just linked up with some people that they didn’t know prior to this. So it was a win.”
For those not interested in hoops, the other side of the basketball court had games like cornhole and Giant Jenga. Nearby, workers gave out free snow cones to offer relief from the sweltering heat. There were also opportunities to sign up for free programs to build skills, like conflict resolution.
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Thunderstorms could move in over Central Indiana this afternoon and evening as Indianapolis celebrates the Fourth of July, dampening fireworks shows.
The National Weather Service forecasts that scattered showers and thunderstorms could hit the Indianapolis area before 8 p.m. today, with showers likely and another thunderstorm possible between 8 and 9 p.m. – right before many area fireworks shows are scheduled to begin. The rainy skies aren’t likely to clear until after midnight, and the chance of precipitation today is around 60%.
The storms will move eastward as a low-pressure system in Illinois begins to collide with the hot, moist air mass enveloping Indiana, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Jason Puma. Areas north of Indianapolis are more likely to see thunder and showers on the evening of July 4, while southern Indiana may dodge the storms, Puma said.
Organizers of the largest fireworks shows near Indianapolis haven’t announced any cancellations yet.
“Fourth Fest will be going ahead as scheduled,” Faith Thompson, a spokesperson for the Downtown Indy Alliance, which organizes the fireworks show downtown, wrote in an email. Updates will be posted on the Downtown Indy Alliance’s social media accounts.
Heat and humidity could impact festivities during the rest of the day. With a forecast high of 88 F and a heat index that could rise to 95 degrees in the late afternoon, Indianapolis remains under a National Weather Service heat advisory until 9 p.m. Tomorrow’s forecast is slightly cooler with scattered showers possible.
Though temperatures have cooled slightly after last week’s scorching heat wave, Puma said the health effects of hot weather can build up over time.
If you start to feel overheated, Puma recommends drinking plenty of fluids and moving indoors. If you’re planning to participate in outdoor activities, stay out of the sun during the hottest parts of the day, he said.
Tilly Robinson is a Pulliam fellow for the Indianapolis Star. She can be reached at tilly.robinson@indystar.com.
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INDIANAPOLIS — Community leaders met with teens near the Artsgarden downtown this week to talk about staying safe and out of trouble ahead of the 4th of July weekend.
Young Men Inc, an organization aimed at empowering Black males ages 8 to 16, held the discussion to stress decision-making and city curfew rules.
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‘Making good choices can save their life’
Malachi Walker with Young Men Inc said the goal is to help kids understand their potential.
“Ultimate goal is to help kids make good decisions and choices in life,” Walker said. “One of the things that we stress to our young people in our Young Men is that they are somebody and they can succeed. We want them to know that making good choices can save their life.”
Walker said the group’s main purpose is to guide young people toward better life choices and help them understand their own potential.
Curfew warning for teens, parents
Walker also warned youth about Indianapolis curfew rules and what happens if they’re broken.
“There is a curfew,” Walker said. “They need to know that you cannot be down here after the curfew hours, otherwise you’ll be picked up, taken to a facility and held there until a parent picks you up.”
He urged parents to stay aware of their children’s whereabouts, especially at night.
“Know where your children are,” Walker said. “Wake up — when you’re going to bed and you’re out for the night, know that your children are at home safe.”
IFD: Must be 18 to set off fireworks
An Indianapolis Fire Department spokesperson also reminded residents about fireworks rules for the holiday weekend.
You must be 18 to set off fireworks and be on property you own or have permission to use, IFD said.
Indianapolis curfew law prohibits minors under 18 from being in public places from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. Friday and Saturday, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
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