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<p>Protests similar to the one Balin had attended began after the death of George Floyd. Many young Hoosiers today protest against the treatment and law enforcement that is unjustly enforced upon minorities, specifically members of the Black community. Despite the outbreak of a global pandemic, young Hoosiers from across the state have come forward to protest these injustices. It has been seen that these protesters have been safe throughout the entirety of these protests by wearing masks and going as far as to provide hand sanitizers and first aid to their fellow protesters. Although many of these protests have been peaceful and consisted of walking around the courthouse with signs, police still met protesters with brute force, using tear gas canisters and rubber bullets. This extreme form of retaliation is what caused Balin and many others across the country to suffer from extreme injuries. </p>

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Outside of the Allen County courthouse on Saturday May 30th, 2020, 21 year old Balin Blake was protesting against police brutality. Balin lost his eye due to a tear gas canister that struck him in the face. This canister broke some bones in his face and ruptured his eyeball. Balin survived his injuries and told The Journal Gazette that losing his eye was "small collateral for the battle we’re fighting." 

Police Brutality During Protests in Fort Wayne

Classroom

Construction of the Allen County Courthouse began in 1897 and the building was completed five years later. The building is a National Historical Landmark-a designation bestowed on very few county courthouses. This particular courthouse is distinguished by its mixture of classical Greek and Roman architecture along with both European and American features. Visitors can view 25-foot tall murals by artist Charles Holloway

Allen County Courthouse

This short walk through Fort Wayne begins at the site of the original fort which was constructed in 1815. After touring the replica of Fort Wayne, residents and visitors will be led to the John Brown Stone Warehouse, Fort Wayne's oldest commercial building. The tour continues on to the Allen County Courthouse and other landmarks such as the statue of Major General Anthony Wayne, the McCulloch-Weatherhogg Double House, Freemasons Hall, and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. The tour also includes several museums such as the History Center in the former City Hall building and the African/African American Historical Society Museum. Be sure to also visit the Firefighters Museum a few blocks west of this tour and Baker Street Station. 