Indianapolis, IN
Up to 1,000 protest ICE outside Pacers-Thunder finals game in Indianapolis
People gather in Downtown Indianapolis outside Pacers game to protest ICE
More than 1,000 people gathered on Wednesday night, an organizer said, as protests against ICE continue to spread across the country.
This story has been updated with police estimates of the crowd size.
The roar of cheers and chants could be heard outside Gainbridge Fieldhouse just before NBA final Game 3 between the Pacers and Thunder the evening of June 11, but it wasn’t the sound of Pacers fans.
It was people gathered to protest ICE raids in Indiana — the latest to spring up across the country since such protests began in Los Angeles amid increased ICE activity under President Donald Trump.
The crowd swelled to more than a thousand people before it broke up, organizers said, although Indianapolis police put the count at 500.
Hours before the protest, images and rumors online indicated ICE raids may have been happening in nearby Lawrence, though the Lawrence Police Department said it wasn’t aware of any U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions in the city. The rumors prompted Latino advocacy groups to share the flier of the planned Gainbridge protest, organized by the Indy Liberation Center.
“No is coming to save us. You have to show up for yourselves,” Carolina Castoreno, cofounder for Alliance for Latino Migrant Advocacy, told the crowd outside Gainbridge.
Downtown Indy resident Jaqueline Montez, 30, said it was important to her to protest now rather than waiting for planned No Kings Day protests here and elsewhere June 14.
“We’re being seen by the rest of the world,” Montez said. “We’re being noticed today.”
The demonstration remained nonviolent, and one speaker reminded demonstrators not to antagonize the police.
Some basketball fans on their way to the game responded to the protesters with chants of “USA.”
Parent Rachel Moore, 46, said she attended the protest after her daughter told her about it. Asked how she made it downtown given traffic, she said, “I know a spot,” and laughed.
“The most dangerous immigrants arrived in 1492,” said one sign held by a protester. Other signs said “ICE out of Indy now” and “Power to the workers not the billionaires.”
A little over a dozen Indianapolis Metropolitan Police officers were monitoring the protest, which was organized by the Indy Liberation Center. The members of IMPD’s emergency response group, specially trained in crowd control, had pepper ball guns.
Protesters began by lining up in front of businesses across Pennsylvania Avenue from Gainbridge. They chanted phrases including, “IMPD, KKK, IOF, it’s all the same!”
About 8 p.m. — a half hour before tipoff — the growing group protesting ICE filled Pennsylvania Avenue, marching north. The crowd size peaked around the time of the of 8:30 p.m. game tipoff and then quickly dissolved.
See the sights and sounds around Gainbridge Fieldhouse for Pacers Game 3
Fans and people protesting ICE raids brought thousands to Downtown Indianapolis on Wednesday night. Here’s what it looked and sounded like.
Did ICE conduct raids in Lawrence?
Earlier June 11, IndyStar reporters spoke with neighbors near 42nd Street and Richelieu Road in Lawrence and confirmed that law enforcement activity had occurred in the area about 7 a.m.
The owner of a self-serve laundry in the area also said they caught a video of law enforcement activity.
Lawrence Police Department said it was not involved in any ICE arrests June 11, and ICE officials hadn’t responded to IndyStar questions about it as of the time of publication.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indiana Fever beat the Golden State Valkyries, 90-82, to win their third straight game to close out their homestand.
Caitlin Clark returned after missing Wednesday’s game due to a back injury. Clark had a team-high 22 points (7-15 FG and 4-9 3FG) and 9 assists.
Aliyah Boston had a big night, putting up 20 points (8-15 FG) and 16 rebounds, which tied a regular season career-high.
Kelsey Mitchell added 19 points (4-10 FG) and three assists. Sophie Cunningham (11 points) also scored in double figures.
As a team, the Fever shot 46% from the floor, 38% from three, and 76% from the free throw line.
The Fever (4-2) are back in action on Thursday when they face the Valkyries again, this time on the road. Tipoff is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET.
Jordin Sparks on the red carpet at 2022 Gateway Celebrity Fight Night at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona. Sparks will perform the national anthem at the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500. Photo by Gage Skidmore, Wikimedia Commons.
News Release
INDIANAPOLIS — Jordin Sparks will perform the national anthem before the 2026 Indianapolis 500, marking her third appearance singing the patriotic standard at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The pre-race ceremony for the 110th running of the race will also coincide with celebrations marking the United States’ 250th anniversary, adding historical significance to this year’s event. Coverage of the pre-race festivities is scheduled to begin Sunday at 10 a.m. EDT across FOX networks and the INDYCAR Radio Network.
IMS and INDYCAR President J. Douglas Boles praised Sparks’ previous performances at the speedway and welcomed her return to the annual tradition. Sparks previously sang the anthem before the race in 2015 and 2024.
Sparks first rose to national prominence after winning “American Idol” and later built a successful music career with multiple charting hits and millions of digital sales. She has toured alongside major pop artists, collaborated on award-winning music connected to Ariana Grande and expanded into acting with film and Broadway roles, including appearances alongside Whitney Houston and performances in the stage production of In the Heights.
Outside entertainment, Sparks remains active in philanthropy, media appearances and brand partnerships through her large social media following.
Alexander Rossi shares update on injuries sustained at practice
ECR’s Alexander Rossi shares an update on injuries sustained during Monday’s crash.
INDIANAPOLIS – Putting a revolving panel of 33 race car drivers in front of dozens of reporters on and off over a couple of weeks might be as good a metaphor for the Indianapolis 500 as there is.
Every lap takes us closer to the finish, and although not every one is exciting there’s usually some captivating entertainment along the way.
Here’s a collection of some of the insightful and interesting comments – and some silliness – from media day ahead of the 110th running May 24 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Perspective on crashing from three drivers
After crashing during practice May 18 and undergoing a small outpatient procedure on his right ankle, front-row qualifier Alexander Rossi has been cleared to drive.
Not that there was a doubt in his mind.
“Unfortunately I’ve crashed twice here. Both times have been turn two,” Rossi said. “I recovered from that. I don’t see this being any different.
“We crash race cars. That’s part of the job description.”
Rossi needs crutches to get around because he can’t put weight on the ankle, but he was able to get in and out of his car, drive on the simulator and react to situations to the satisfaction of IndyCar medical officials. Rossi will have a brace on his foot, but was able to wear his usual shoe.
Before knowing for certain Rossi had been cleared, Conor Daly was asked about the drivers’ mindset in regard to injuries.
“We’re a bunch of psychos, honestly,” Daly said. “If you have this job, you’re very lucky to have this job, so you don’t want to let that go away at all.
“You’d have to rip his limbs off to have him not in that car.”
Pato O’Ward was caught up in Rossi’s crash and also will race a backup car.
At Indy, where qualifying laps average more than 230 mph, a high percentage of crashes are brutal, O’Ward said, and yet there cannot be any second-guessing.
“But after you have that first shunt, one, you definitely feel more like a man when you get back in it, and two, I feel like it just puts some reality into your head,” O’Ward said. “Like dude, you’re moving. You need to be aware of your surroundings, be careful who you’re running [around]. You do grow quite a bit. At least I did.
“I way much rather would be doing this than doing something else. … We are kind of risking our lives, but this is straight-up badass.”
The Penske-fication of Andretti Global
For the first time since 2009, two-time IndyCar series champion and 2018 Indy 500 winner Will Power is at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with a team not named Penske.
Andretti Global is happy to have that experience at its disposal.
“There’s a lot of things that we’ve been able to kind of bounce off him to figure out exactly what we need,” said Andretti driver Kyle Kirkwood, who is again a title contender. “Fortunately with him coming in with his experience and his work ethic, it’s been a big push for our team because he’s like, well, these were the expectations when I was driving at the other place and we were winning races, so these are now the expectations now.
“I think it’s kind of pushed people along really, really nicely, and it’s been a really good atmosphere among the team with him involved and kind of pushing us. There’s been a lot of positives out of his tenure so far.”
During Power’s time at Penske, the organization has collected six of its 20 Indianapolis victories and five of its 17 series titles while Andretti won three 500s and one championship.
Don’t say the ‘r’ word
The weather forecast for the weekend and beyond leaves a bit to be desired.
After a long two weeks, most drivers and teams are ready to move on come late Sunday afternoon. In fact the full-time teams have to turn the page quickly. They’re on track in Detroit five days later. But not everyone.
“I’ll do it on Thursday, I don’t care,” said 33rd starter Jack Harvey, who has no more races on his 2026 driving schedule. “We have to extend this month as long as we can.”
Pick a finger
Times change. So do the gestures from angry drivers.
“The thumbs-up has become the new middle finger,” second-year starter Louis Foster said. “’I feel like maybe we’ve become a bit more politically correct over the years and gone to a thumbs-up.
“Which I think is even worse. If someone cuts me off when I’m driving, I don’t middle finger them, I thumbs-up them, ‘You’re a great driver, man.’ I haven’t seen anyone flip me off recently.”
That brings us back to Rossi and his injuries from his crash. In addition to the procedure he had on his right ankle, he suffered an injury to a finger on his left hand.
Which finger?
“I can’t show you that one,” he said. “I’ll get in a lot of trouble.”
Those other racing sausages
The “Weenie 500” featuring the six Oscar Meyer Wienermobiles was an instant hit in 2025, so naturally it is back. Last-row starter Sting Ray Robb is among the IndyCar drivers scheduled to serve as crew chiefs.
“I think the jokes write themselves,” he said. And indeed they do.
“You want to relish that opportunity, I guess,” responded IndyCar’s Dave Furst, the moderator.
“It’s good that you mustered the courage to get that pun out,” preceded the next question.
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