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Local members of the NAACP along with family members gather in support of 11-year-old Honestie Hodges /John Rothwell
11 year old Honestie Hodges /John Rothwell
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 Police Department to conduct a full internal investigation, collaborate with the officers' union, immediately release all body-camera footage within the next 12 to 24 hours and provide counseling to Hodges and her mother at the City’s expense.
These demands are in response to police actions stemming from the handling of Hodges. She was detained during a December 6, 2017 incident when Grand Rapids Police officers handcuffed the 11-year-old black girl, placing her in the back of a police car during their search for a 40-year-old white woman.
"The NAACP of Greater Grand Rapids cannot and will not stand by to watch our children be aggressively and strategically targeted and terrorized by the police sworn to protect them," said Local NAACP President, Cle Jackson.
The NAACP Youth Council commended GRPD Chief David Rahinsky for taking the first steps in solving this injustice. This incident is the latest to involve GRPD and Black children over the past year. Rahinsky acknowledged there is a problem and said he is addressing the issue head-on.
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