Mayor Scott Fadness issued a statement Saturday morning as Fishers braces for two events reflecting sharply different views of immigration — a public march supporting immigrant neighbors this afternoon and an invitation-only “Mass Deportation Rally” tonight at a still-undisclosed location.
“Fishers is a thriving community that has become a global destination for all people to raise their families,” Fadness said. “Fishers did not ask to be a part of this debate, but today, people have chosen to express their constitutional right to free speech and assembly in our city.
“Our community expects those participating will obey all laws and will exemplify civil discourse. Fishers Police will be prepared to keep everyone safe and hold anyone accountable who does not follow the law.
“Today, and every day, we remain focused on creating and sustaining one of the best communities in the country.”
Two events, two messages
Fishers Resists and partner organizations plan a public “Hoosier Hospitality March” from 3 to 6 p.m., beginning at Roy G. Holland Memorial Park. The roughly 2-mile route is expected to follow Lantern Road and the Nickel Plate Trail to the Fishers Municipal Center, where speeches and a vigil are planned for those who died in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody and enforcement actions, before returning by 116th Street. Organizers describe the march as a nonviolent show of support for immigrant neighbors and say safety marshals will be present. Participating groups include several Indivisible community chapters, Indy Resistance, Somos Latinos, Action Neighbors, Indiana Organizing Project and Voices 4 Democracy.
The march is a response to Save Heritage Indiana’s “Mass Deportation Rally,” billed by organizers as the first of its kind in the country, set to begin at 7 p.m. Tickets have been advertised at $50, with the location promised only to approved guests shortly before the event. Former U.S. Border Patrol commander-at-large Gregory Bovino is scheduled to speak, and Republican Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith is expected to provide prerecorded video remarks rather than attend in person.
Save Heritage Indiana’s website calls for ending and reversing “mass migration” and backs universal E-Verify and mandatory local cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Executive Director Daniel Poynter has said the event is about enforcing immigration laws, not promoting violence or racial division. The Southern Poverty Law Center describes the group as anti-immigrant, a characterization Poynter disputes.
Bovino retired in March after nearly 30 years with the Border Patrol. He led high-profile immigration operations in Los Angeles, Chicago and Minneapolis and was removed from his commander-at-large position after federal agents fatally shot U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. Bovino drew condemnation for saying Pretti planned to “massacre” officers, a claim The Associated Press reported authorities had not substantiated. Bovino also has claimed 100 million people are living in the United States illegally, without presenting supporting evidence; Pew Research Center’s latest comprehensive estimate was 14 million in 2023.
The city’s role
Fadness has said the city did not bring the private rally to Fishers, had no coordination with its organizers, and cannot suppress lawful expression on private property. Fishers police have been working to identify the rally site so they can protect participants and the public, but will not provide private security. Census data show 11.5% of Fishers residents were foreign-born in 2020-24, a figure that includes people with a range of legal statuses.
As of Saturday morning, organizers had not publicly disclosed the private rally’s address, venue or expected attendance, and no reliable crowd estimate was available for either event.
Weather could be a factor
Marchers should pack rain gear. The National Weather Service forecast for Fishers, updated at 8:45 a.m. Saturday, calls for an 80% chance of showers and thunderstorms throughout the day, with some storms capable of producing heavy rainfall. New rainfall amounts of three-quarters of an inch to one inch are possible, with a high near 77 and southeast winds of 9 to 13 mph gusting to 22 mph.
That puts the 3-6 p.m. march window squarely in the wet weather. Forecasters expect showers and thunderstorms before 3 p.m., then showers and possibly a thunderstorm mainly after 3 p.m. — meaning the walk from Holland Park to the Municipal Center could see rain from start to finish. Lightning would be the bigger concern for an outdoor crowd; standard safety guidance is to head indoors or to vehicles when thunder is heard.
The evening rally may be less exposed if it is held indoors, though attendees traveling to the event face an 80% chance of showers and possible thunderstorms before 11 p.m., with a low around 67.