INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indianapolis is a historical home for Asian American and Pacific Islander businesses.

In coastal cities like New York, San Francisco, and Chicago, “Chinatowns” exist, but not in Indianapolis. President of Asian American Alliance Rupal Thanawala explains, “In many states and cities, Chinatowns really evolved because foreigners were not welcomed in the city. There were many neighborhoods that didn’t let them live there.”

Chinatowns became a safe haven from prejudice and racist laws. While these cities became magnets for Asians in the early 1800s, eventually they moved to Indiana. Originally from China, Moy Kee moved to Indianapolis in 1897.

He was the first citizen who had the right to vote and during that time not everyone was allowed to vote. Key opened up several businesses in the city. He is indiana’s first Asian American citizen. His face is plastered on the mural on Bicentennial Unity Plaza.

“He was the first citizen who had the right to vote and during that time,” Thanawala said. “Not everyone was allowed to vote. This is perfect timing since next week is election and to think at that time, 130-140 years back, a Chinese man could vote in the state.”

“Asian Americans make up 2% of Indiana’s population, and because Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are spread out throughout the state, there isn’t really an official hub,” said Thanawala.

Nicole Martinez-LeGrand, an historian and curator at Indiana Historical Society, pointed out that the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra used to be Bamboo Inn, a Chinese restaurant from 1918 to 1961.

“Right here in the middle right above the roof, there is a huge sign that says chop suey,” said Martinez-LeGrand. Martinez-LeGrand described it as a booming restaurant in a prime real estate. She adds that they contributed to the local economy, even donating war bonds during WWII. The restaurant flourished with white patrons especially during the height of the KKK. Martinez-LeGrand showed photographs of waiters, and on another image, white customers posing in the front of the eatery.

“I think its important to see themselves in history to see who is supporting them in history,” Martinez-LeGrand said. “It’s important to know it existed here on the circle, which is prime real estate at the time.”

A psychologist for Indianapolis Public Schools was among those held when police arrested 14 masked adults who officers said were blocking traffic late last month just outside the Governor’s Residence in the state capital.

The school psychologist, Karisa Cole, and the other arrested protesters were charged with obstructing traffic April 25 at 10:30 a.m. on Meridian Street in Indianapolis. 

In public statements that morning, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department warned that although peaceful protesting is constitutionally protected, blocking traffic violates Indiana law. 

After brief remarks and a collective chant calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war and for Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, a Republican, to divest from doing business with Israel, the protesters crossed into Meridian Street and blocked traffic.

When police officers arrived, they asked the protesters to leave the roadway multiple times. When the protesters didn’t move, officers arrested the 14 obstructers, who began to sing as officers pulled them off the street.

Cole, 45, appears to own several social media accounts that advertise her employment as a school psychologist by Indianapolis Public Schools since 2020. They include multiple anti-Israeli and antisemitic posts, including promotion of the ethnic-cleansing motto of the Hamas terrorist organization, “From the River to the Sea.” (This motto calls for Jews west of the Jordan River to be swept violently into the Mediterranean Sea to make room for the Islamic State of Palestine).

Cole’s Instagram account, marked by “she/they” personal pronouns, includes instructions for teachers to “adopt social justice and anti-racist teaching skills” when “teaching about Palestine in the classroom.” 

Cole warned teachers not to put Israel and Palestine on the “same level,” accusing Israel of being an apartheid state that is “committing an ethnic cleansing.”

Cole also encouraged teachers not to describe Hamas as “extremist” or “terrorist.” She accused those who do so of racism “against Muslim or POC [people of color] communities.” 

Hamas has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States and other NATO countries since 1997. 

Hamas terrorists invaded southern Israel on Oct. 7, slaughtering 1,200, torturing or raping many first, and taking over 200 hostages. Ever since, the Israeli military has targeted the adjacent Gaza Strip—where Hamas is the elected government and uses civilians as shields—with the goal of “eradicating” the terrorist group.

The Daily Signal obtained Cole’s booking photograph and other public information about her arrest from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. 

Indianapolis Public Schools did not respond to The Daily Signal’s request for comment on whether the school district was aware of Cole’s arrest or what if any action it has taken as a result. 

The Indianapolis Center for Inquiry School 70, the building where Cole works, lists her as a school psychologist on its staff page.

Cole didn’t respond to requests for comment and confirmation that she owns the social media accounts cited above. However, the school psychologist’s LinkedIn account was deleted after The Daily Signal reached out.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WPTA) – Two people have been arrested in connection to what WTHR reports as a road rage shooting on I-65 near the 102.2 mile marker in Indianapolis, officials with the Indiana State Police (ISP) say.

ISP officers say just after 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1, they received reports of a possible shooting and a car running off the road into a pond. When responders first arrived, they found a man unconscious on the grass near a pond where officers later determined his car had gone into. Police say the man was later pronounced dead at the scene.

According to a release from the police, Andre Briski of Indianapolis and Shawna Rowland of Greenwood were arrested pending the following charges on Thursday, May 2:

• Andre Briski
  • Murder
  • Possession of a firearm by a prohibited person
• Shawna Rowland of Greenwood
  • Assisting a Criminal
  • Obstruction of Justice

Officials say key information provided by witnesses who called to report the incident led to detectives being able to identify the suspect vehicle quickly which in turn led police to arrest Briski and Rowland.

This is an ongoing investigation by the Indiana State Police.

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