race
Local immigrant rights groups hold press conference over ICE detentions
by (Elizabeth Roger...)
Submitted 04-25-2018 under NEWS
On Wednesday, April 25, Cosecha GR and GR Rapid Response to ICE cohosted what they called an emergency press conference at the corner of Hastings and Ottawa on Grand Rapids' northwest side. About 20 people, both speakers and supportive...
LINC holds town hall discussing civil rights ordinance proposal
by (Elizabeth Roger...)
Submitted 04-19-2018 under NEWS
On Wednesday, April 18, 2018, more than 50 people attended a town hall at LINC UP to discuss a Civil Rights ordinance proposal for the City of Grand Rapids. Jeremy DeRoo, Executive Director of LINC UP opened the meeting and welcomed attendees....
New ordinance proposal calls for Civil Rights Department, robust anti-discrimination legislation in Grand Rapids
by (Elizabeth Roger...)
Submitted 04-13-2018 under NEWS
“The citizens in Grand Rapids are totally unprotected from discrimination, totally. The Michigan Department of Civil Rights has a couple good investigators and I mean a couple,” says Lyonel LaGrone, Policy Liaison for LINC UP, a local...
Grand Rapids Neigborhood Summit keynote speaker to discuss going 'beyond a seat at the table'
by (Stacy Stout)
Submitted 02-20-2018 under PLACE-MATTERS
The Grand Rapids Neighborhood Summit 2018 is pleased to welcome Rasheda L. Weaver, PhD as the keynote speaker for this year’s event. This year’s summit will be on Saturday, March 3, 2018 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Grand Valley State...
Local NAACP wants policing changes after detainment of 11-year-old girl
by (jproth1)
Submitted 12-19-2017 under NEWS
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Leaders of the Greater Grand Rapids Branch of the NAACP and family members of 11-year-old Honestie Hodges gathered on Calder Plaza in front of City Hall Tuesday morning, December 19, 2017. The supporters are asking Grand Rapids...
Letter-writing effort to support local incarcerated woman, educate community
by (Briana)
Submitted 11-02-2017 under OPINION
On Sunday, November 5, 2017 and Monday, November 6, 2017 from 4 p.m.- 10 p.m., people will gather at Lantern Coffee Shop and Bar to write letters for Desirae Glatfelter. Glatfelter is a 29-year-old Black woman survivor of domestic violence. She is...
City, GRPD must seek independent investigations into police call recordings to rebuild public trust, transparency
by (Russell Olmsted)
Submitted 09-15-2017 under OPINION
Yesterday, after months of fighting in court, the City was forced to release 5 recorded phone conversations between Officer’s Adam Ickes, Thomas Warwick, and the now fired Lt. Michael Janiskee. These conversations were related to a November...
City introduces newly hired consultants from 21st Century Policing Solutions
by (Russell Olmsted)
Submitted 08-21-2017 under NEWS
“We know the truth may hurt, but selective ignorance is fatal.” This a phrase Ronald Davis admits he’s fond of saying. And during the City’s press conference this past Thursday, August 17, 2017, to introduce Mr. Davis and the...
Grand Rapids Public Schools’ Parent University to host screenings of American Divided
by (Natalie Hart)
Submitted 08-08-2017 under NONPROFITS
On Wednesday, June 28, over 600 people gathered at Celebration Cinema South to watch two screenings of America Divided, a film series that explores some of America’s thorniest issues—criminal justice, housing equity, education,...
City Commission passes resolutions regarding community, police relations
by (Russell Olmsted)
Submitted 07-27-2017 under NEWS
Summer can mean vacations and family time for many of us. This tends to have an effect on the turnout at the City Commission meetings. That was clearly the case Tuesday as citizen attendance was down compared to the last few months. However that...