INDIANAPOLIS — Protests erupted ahead of a planned traditional Eritrean celebration for the new year, and lanes of Lafayette Road on the near northwest side of Indianapolis briefly shut down over the weekend.
The group behind the demonstration is known as Brigade Nhamedu. They're known for protesting the Eritrean government all over the world.
They say the country's leaders have committed repeated human rights violations.
Members of Indianapolis' Eritrean Community Cultural and Civic Center said they received a letter warning them of the possibility of a disruption. The letter suggested they consider canceling the event to avoid violent clashes.
"They're trying to terrorize our community." said Hailat Seilu, one of the event organizers. "They're trying to hurt our mothers, our kids. If they want to talk, we can talk, but violence is not the solution for us."
Organizers told police about the letter but still moved forward with the Dec. 30 celebration.
"It's a form of bridging the gap," Sammi Mebrahtu said. "Bringing the cultures together. There's no violence on our side or anything else."
Cellphone video obtained by 13News shows IMPD trying to control a group of demonstrators who were protesting outside of the event.
According to police, they were called to Lafayette Road around 5:15 p.m. The demonstration moved into the street, causing a portion of the road to be shut down.
According to witnesses, protestors came with sticks and shouted racial slurs.
Organizers say this is first time it's happened in Indiana, but now, there's concern it could happen again.
"We don't want our kids growing up in this kind of environment," Seilu said.