Indiana Senate Democratic Leader Vi Simpson (D-Ellettsville) released the following statement in response to this morning’s announcement that public access to the Statehouse will be limited beginning January 1, 2012.
“The people of Indiana should be outraged to learn of the decision to unnecessarily restrict their right to peacefully assemble and to petition their government.
“The action of this administration is symbolic of a closed, elitist government which seeks to silence the voices of persons who disagree with them. This is neither about security nor safety…it is about not wanting to hear from working families who have made the effort, at their own expense, to come and speak with their elected representatives about issues that will directly impact them.
“The administration is, however, maintaining access to special interests – the people who are highly paid to be at the Statehouse. Lobbyists are guaranteed a voice for their clients, but the average Hoosier has no such guarantee.
“If they can silence working people now, then they can silence anyone on any issue with which they disagree. Who will be next?
“I have always been very proud that our Statehouse is open to the public. It has given me great pride to welcome groups of Hoosiers of all kinds to the People’s House. The officials who work in the Statehouse are the People’s Employees, and we should never forget that. I am sorry that some in charge have forgotten our mission – to serve the people of Indiana by listening and acting on their behalf. Restricting public access to the People’s House limits their ability to speak and our ability to listen.”
View the new Statehouse access/security policies from the Indiana State Police: http://www.in.gov/isp/files/Statehouse_Security_Policies.pdf
Indiana Senate Democrats: The Briefing Room 