INDIANAPOLIS — The Fourth of July is often a time to celebrate the United States. A group in Garfield Park used the day to discuss how they would improve America over burgers and hot dogs.
The 50501 Community Picnic filled Garfield Park's largest picnic shelter for Independence Day. People who came enjoyed music, games and a banner illustrating different definitions of democracy.
The group behind the cookout also organized Indianapolis' No Kings protest on June 14. They saw the cookout as a natural follow-up, especially after the One Big Beautiful Bill passed through Congress the day before.
"With everybody here, there's more than a bit of mourning," said Scott Johnson of 50501 Indiana. "When you're sad, you want to be with family. It's chosen family, it's different, it's ideological family."
Jacke Sue, a senior from Greenwood, came to the cookout because she needed friends who would understand her disdain for the 'One Big Beautiful Bill.'
"I usually sit at home, I can't talk to my friends anymore because they all love that," Sue said. "I really feel treaded on, I feel crazy. And when I'm around these people, I feel sane."
Sue said she wanted to find connections over her concern for future Medicaid funding.
"I have to have medicine, I'm almost 70," Sue said. "Why are they taking all of that from me? I can't die."
Johnson believes the cookout was the way to show patriotism for the Fourth of July, while frustrated with the current political direction of the country.
"The fact that we're criticizing doesn't mean we don't love America, it means we do," Johnson said. "If you love something, it means you embrace it even when it's wrong, and work to make it better."
-
Father dies after car enters retention pond, police save two children
Indianapolis and Lawrence police officers saved two young children from a retention pond overnight after their father drove their car into the water and it submerged on the northeast side.
Kids could miss out on summer meals after state opts out of food aid program
Students all across the state could miss out on summer meals after the state opted out of a summer food aid program meant to provide extra benefits to families in need
What's the coolest thing made in Indiana? It may be at this Mass Ave business
Goulding & Wood is one of four Hoosier businesses in the semi-finals of the Coolest Thing Made In Indiana Tournament.
Marion County Sheriff adjusts ICE position due to overcrowding concerns
Sheriff Kerry Forestal says the Marion County Adult Detention Center is financially capped at 2,400 inmates and exceeded that on Sunday.
