Families who gathered in Indianapolis over Memorial Day weekend to watch the famed Indy 500 were met with an unexpected and deeply controversial message in the skies. As spectators filled the infield and stands for the festivities, a small plane circled overhead, towing a banner that read: “Abortion pills by mail.”
The stunt, orchestrated by abortion-promoting nonprofit Mayday Health, was meant as a political statement. But to many in attendance, it felt like a slap in the face—especially in a state like Indiana, where the sanctity of life is protected by law, and where many had brought their children to enjoy what was supposed to be a family-friendly event.
Mayday Health, a New York-based organization, wasn’t acting alone. Bloomington’s All-Options organization joined in to support the effort, along with promoting the Hoosier Abortion Fund. In a statement to the media, Mayday founder Liv Raisner said their goal was to remind Hoosiers that abortion pills remain accessible by mail in all 50 states—regardless of state law.
“Mayday spreads a simple message with many people — abortion pills are available by mail in all 50 states,” Raisner told the Tribune Star.
Simple? Perhaps. But also provocative, and for many, deeply offensive.
The banner ignited strong reactions both in-person and online. One spectator, Braydyn Lents, took to social media with a photo of the plane and a caption expressing his disbelief: “Somebody explain to me why there is a plane waving a banner reading ‘Abortion pills by mail’ that is hovering over my head above the infield at the Indy 500 of all places.”
The outrage stems not only from the message itself but from its timing and location. The Indianapolis 500 isn’t just a race—it’s an American tradition. Families travel from all over the country to experience the event, which has long represented values like community, perseverance, and yes, life.
That’s what made the banner feel so intrusive and out of place. It was a clear political statement dropped right in the middle of an event not designed for politics, but for celebration.
To be clear, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway had no part in the banner’s display. According to WTHI-TV, the Federal Aviation Administration prohibits banner towing over the venue during the actual race. However, there are no restrictions on what the banner says. The only rule? It had to stop flying when the green flag dropped.
Indiana’s abortion law, which went into effect in August 2023, bans the procedure except in very limited cases—such as rape, incest, fatal fetal anomalies, or when the mother’s life is at risk. This reflects the values of many Indiana residents who believe life begins at conception and that the state should do all it can to protect the unborn.
But Mayday Health’s goal was not to inform. It was to provoke. Raisner admitted that while her organization does not directly mail abortion pills, it connects individuals with providers who will.
So in effect, the message trailing that plane wasn’t simply “abortion pills are available.” It was: “Here’s how to get around your state’s laws.”
For many in the crowd, that message was seen as an aggressive intrusion on a day meant for unity, not division. The banner seemed to suggest that the choice to have a family—a decision many Indy 500 attendees proudly live out—was optional, even disposable.
There is something jarring about advocating for abortion in a place so filled with children, laughter, and community. The contrast could not have been more stark. It’s not just the message—it’s where and how it was delivered.
At the end of the day, the banner didn’t change any laws. But it did remind conservatives across Indiana and beyond why the fight for life remains urgent. Because while lawmakers can protect the unborn through legislation, it’s up to the rest of us to preserve the culture that values life—at every stage.
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