By Abdul-Hakim Shabazz

“Now is the winter of our discontent / Made glorious summer by this sun of York…”
—William Shakespeare, Richard III

But in Indianapolis?
Let’s just say the sun isn’t exactly shining on the City-County Council these days.

In just 10 days, we’ve seen a Democratic supermajority crack, a council president face an attempted coup, and a councilor storm out of the caucus like she just realized the group project was doomed from the start.

Let’s catch you up.

🗓️ Day 1–3: The Purge — Circle Centre Edition

Two teens shot and killed downtown over Fourth of July weekend. Cue the press releases, curfew debates, and another round of “Is Downtown Safe?” bingo.

Council President Vop Osili stands by the administration. Critics say leadership’s asleep at the wheel.

⚖️ Day 4: Jesse Brown’s Big Swing

Councilor Jesse Brown files a special order of business—a motion to remove Council President Vop Osili and Vice President Ali Brown from their leadership positions.

His claim?

  • Abuse of power

  • Interference with an investigative committee

  • “Unnecessary force” used against members of the public

His demand?
A roll call vote in August.

“I believe the President and Vice President of this body have interfered with the scope of the taxpayer-funded Investigative Committee. President Osili has also deployed unnecessary force multiple times against members of the public, most recently against Lauren Roberts and Elise Shrock. This has brought embarrassment to our Council and to our city.”

“Under Municipal Code Section 151-13(c), anyone seeking to remove an elected officer from their position must bring a motion at a meeting at least one week prior to the removal vote. Thus, the special order of business will be whether to vote on removal of the President and Vice President from their elected positions among the Council at the August meeting.”

“I am seeking a roll call vote on this question.”

✌️ Day 5: Boom. Carlino’s Out.

On Monday, July 7, Councilor Crista Carlino (District 11) formally resigned from the Democratic Caucus—and did it with a press release that was anything but subtle.

“On Monday, July 7th, 2025, I made the decision to leave the Democratic Caucus of the Council. After a continued lack of leadership and accountability, abuse of power, and unfair application of our Caucus rules for membership I can no longer in good conscience remain a member. I will continue to serve in my role on the council as the District 11 representative, but I will not caucus with any party for the foreseeable future. I am disappointed, but believe this is the best decision at this time. I assure my constituents I will not cease in standing up for what I believe in and speaking the truth.”

Translation: “Y’all are a mess, and I want no part of it.”

🔥 Day 6–7: The Vote (And the Blowback)

Brown’s motion to remove Osili and Brown fails—overwhelmingly.
But Jesse? Not deterred. He vows to bring it back:

“Next month, and the month after that, and the month after that.”

He added:

“Colleagues should have to put their names next to this failed leadership—again and again and again.”

He may be tilting at windmills, but he’s not running out of steam—or lines.

🧐 Day 8–10: More Questions Than Answers

  • Will more councilors follow Carlino’s lead?

  • Will Brown’s rebellion gain momentum—or just exhaust the chamber?

  • And will anyone admit that the so-called “unified front” might be cracking?

🧠 Final Thought

The Democratic Caucus isn’t collapsing. Not yet.
But if this week proved anything, it’s that the Council is far from united—and the cracks are no longer private.

This isn’t just about internal drama. It’s about credibility, governance, and the widening gap between what voters expect and what they’re getting.

And here’s the hard truth: no amount of finger-pointing or procedural duck-and-cover will fix what’s broken. The dysfunction isn’t written in fate or coded into the stars—it’s self-inflicted.

“The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,
But in ourselves, that we are underlings.”
—William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar

If you were writing a script about political dysfunction with a side of palace intrigue, you couldn’t make it up better than this.

Coming next week:
“Mission: Impeachable – Jesse Brown and the Never-Ending Vote.”