For many people, 2013 will be a year that won’t be forgotten anytime soon. Indeed, there were many events that will surely be remembered, for better or worse.
This week, the Recorder looks back on the past year and its impact on the community with five major developments, in no particular order.
Justice for Trayvon
National outrage was sparked after a Florida jury acquitted George Zimmerman of second-degree murder charges in the death of Trayvon Martin. Those seeking justice for the slain teen considered their next options, including mass protests.
In an act of strong, unified activism reminiscent of the civil rights movement, hundreds of Indianapolis residents participated in the Justice for Trayvon rally in front of the Federal Courts Building downtown in July. It was among rallies organized in cities across the country by Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network (NAN), which has called on the federal government to issue civil rights charges against Zimmerman.
“We must demand that the Department of Justice do a complete investigation into the fact that Zimmerman violated Trayvon’s civil right to walk home,” said Pastor Jeffrey A. Johnson Sr. of Eastern Star Church, one of the rally’s organizing ministers.
Affordable Care Act
After being sworn in for his second term in January, President Barack Obama remained focused on one of his most important goals: Implementing provisions of the Affordable Care Act. Approval from the U.S. Supreme Court on the act had been granted, and federal officials began to implement the most significant overhaul of the U.S. health care system since Medicare and Medicaid were developed in 1965.
Officials also set up a federal marketplace online (healthcare.gov) that would enable consumers to choose from plans. However, technical difficulties on the federal marketplace website and political issues continued to plague the full implementation of the act. Still, more than 1.1 million Americans signed up for a health care plan through the federal health insurance marketplace from Oct. 1 to Dec. 24, with more than 975,000 enrolling so in December alone, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.
Struggle against crime
Throughout 2013, Indianapolis residents dealt with disturbing spikes in crime, starting with a rise in homicide and violent crime, as well as carjackings and home invasions and robberies. Throughout October and November, units of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department aggressively went after people suspected of involvement in recent crimes, and made more than a dozen arrests involving various cases.
“We want it to be known that these types of crimes will not be tolerated,” said IMPD Chief Rick Hite. “Violent crime is down and, despite our recent spike in murders, non-fatal aggravated assaults involving guns are down as well.”
At the end of the year, it was reported that Indianapolis actually saw 10 percent more homicides per capita than Chicago in 2013. Chicago, with a population of more than 2.7 million, reported 409 murders and justifiable homicides, or 15.1 homicides per 100,000 residents. Indianapolis, by comparison, saw 140 homicides to its 822,000 citizens for a homicide rate of 17 per 100,000 people.
Farewell to Nelson Mandela
Indianapolis residents were among millions around the world celebrating the life of Nelson Mandela, the freedom fighter, human rights advocate and former South African president who died Dec. 5 at age 95.
Local leaders and residents remembered Mandela as a man who, though he lived thousands of miles away, had a direct impact on their lives.
“We have lost a bright beacon of hope and equality for all people,” Congressman André Carson said. “Nelson Mandela’s peaceful struggle against apartheid inspired a nation to stand against oppression. Let us honor his legacy of peace and justice through our actions each and every day. We should strive to live by his example.”
New hospital opens for residents
Residents, city officials, patients, hospital brass and many others eagerly anticipated the opening of the new Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Hospital and Eskenazi Health campus on Dec. 7.
The state-of-the-art facility equipped with 315 inpatient beds, more than 200 exam rooms, a women’s health center and more couldn’t come fast enough.
“The infrastructure of the former (Wishard) hospital was shot; it was built in stages so many of the buildings were very old; it was hard to navigate; and it was hard to provide quality health care for individuals,” said Gregory Porter, vice president of external affairs for the Health and Hospital Corp., which oversees Eskinazi Hospital, Midtown Mental Health and the Marion County Health Department.
Honorable mention
– In February, the local political scene was shaken up when City-County Council member Jose Evans announced that he would change his party affiliation from Democratic to Republican.
– Following April’s deadly bombing during the Boston Marathon, cities across the country carefully reviewed their security procedures for major events. Public Safety Director Troy Riggs said officials were practicing “due diligence” and encouraged residents to not allow terrorism to prevail by letting fear keep them from participating in local events with large crowds.
– In October, the Indianapolis City-County Council approved a 2014 budget in a bipartisan vote that included input from both Democrats and Republicans. The budget added 80 needed police officers while holding the line on taxes and protecting critical school funding.
– Last year, the Black community voted no on a controversial sculpture called “E Pluribus Unum” created by New York-based artist Fred Wilson. But by November, they were able to share their thoughts on five proposed new pieces to take place on the Indianapolis Cultural Trail.
– A shockwave was sent through Indiana’s political community when Indiana State Auditor Dwayne Sawyer suddenly announced his resignation for “personal and family reasons.” In August, Sawyer, a former Brownsburg Town Council member, had been appointed by Gov. Mike Pence as the state’s first African-American auditor and its first Black Republican statewide office holder.
Do you agree with this list?
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