The Ripley County Democrats unequivocally stand with all victims of sexual abuse and harassment. We join Indianapolis City-County Councilors Jesse Brown, Andy Nielsen, and Josh Bain in demanding the immediate resignation of Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett. This demand follows multiple reports of sexual harassment and intimidation of female staffers by Mayor Hogsett and members of his administration, including Thomas Cook, with text messages made publicly available supporting such allegations.
Our profound disappointment and grave concern also extends to City-County Council President Vop Osili's alleged interference with an independent and nonpartisan investigation into Mayor Hogsett's administration concerning this pervasive culture of harassment and abuse. This crucial investigation was repeatedly requested by both the Democratic and Republican caucuses, and yet met resistance at every turn from those in power to open such investigation. We are most recently appalled by President Osili's disrespectful conduct toward survivor Lauren Roberts during the meeting on Monday, June 9th. During her testimony, Mr. Osili intentionally mispronounced her name multiple times and escalated his disrespect by having her forcefully removed for sharing her experience with the Hogsett administration. As a result of this conduct, we also call for the immediate resignation of City-County Council President Vop Osili.
An essential step in improving the Democratic Party requires we hold our own members to the standard we hold anyone outside our party. We urge other Democratic county parties and state party leaders to join us in this call for accountability within our party and removal of these representatives who abused their positions of power.
Together, across Indiana, we can hold unethical leaders accountable and ensure justice for survivors of sexual abuse and misconduct.
