The Indiana Remembrance Coalition (IRC) is committed to remembering and acknowledging past and present racism. This group of citywide volunteers engages the community through education and advocacy to promote healing and justice.

The most recent success of IRC is that of the historic 24.5-acre Greenlawn Cemetery, founded in 1820 on the west side of Indianapolis. This pioneer burial ground abuts the White River next to Henry Street. This is the site of the new Henry Street Bridge, which is to be constructed directly on top of a segregated burial ground for African Americans. The city initially resisted archeologically led construction, and IRC fought this approach, citing it as the continuing erasure of Black history. IRC championed an almost two-year-long media and letter-writing campaign, made presentations at city-council meetings, at public libraries, on news programs, and for various ministerial groups to raise awareness.

We are pleased that the city has formed a monthly Citizens Advisory Group (CAG) for project transparency and updated information. Due to our efforts, they also submitted new plans for an approach that includes professional archeological excavation and preservation of findings, prior to bringing in major construction vehicles. This project is now underway, and remains have been found. The city has posted a new website and a webcam for the public to watch.

For the full story of this important cemetery, plus current updates and other links to the city's cemetery website, please see this WFYI article.

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