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Activists demand officer who killed Lyoya be convicted, GRPD make more changes
Activists in Grand Rapids say there won’t be justice for 26-year-old Patrick Lyoya, a Black man who was shot and killed by a Grand Rapids police officer in April, until that officer is convicted for second degree murder. Last week, Officer Christopher Schurr was charged with one count of second degree murder for killing Lyoya […]
Kelley’s arrest is emblematic of growing far-right extremism and violence, experts say
After Republican gubernatorial candidate Ryan Kelley was arrested Thursday by the FBI on charges related to his role in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, during which supporters of former President Donald Trump attempted to overthrow the United States government, his campaign posted two words on social media: “Political Prisoner.” This sentiment — […]
Officer will be charged in death of Patrick Lyoya, Kent County prosecutor announces
On Thursday afternoon, Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker announced Officer Christopher Schurr will be charged with one count of second degree murder for shooting and killing 26-year-old Patrick Lyoya during a traffic stop. Schurr has reportedly turned himself in and will be arraigned in the 61st District Court in Grand Rapids tomorrow, Becker said. Benjamin […]
Black activists protest voting restrictions by land, air and sea at Mackinac Conference
For a period of time on Tuesday, attendees ferrying to the Mackinac Island Policy Conference were confronted with a protest banner hung from the Round Island Passage Lighthouse: “Loepp, pledge to defend Black voters.” The banner drop, put up by the Defend Black Voters coalition and targeting Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan CEO Daniel […]
On this day in 1993: Trial for Malice Green’s killing begins in Detroit
On June 2, 1993, the widely publicized court proceeding centering on Malice Green’s death gaveled into order in Detroit Recorder’s Court, a state jurisdiction for local criminal cases at the time. Green, a 35-year-old Black motorist, was killed on Nov. 5, 1992, during a traffic stop carried out by white Detroit Police officers Walter Budzyn […]
Detroit activist on her fight against police brutality: ‘We have to continue to protest’
On May 29, 2020, hundreds of protestors demonstrated in Detroit after George Floyd, a Black man, was killed in Minneapolis by local law enforcement, sparking nationwide outrage over racism and police brutality. Nakia Wallace, 25, a founding member of Detroit Will Breathe (DWB), an anti-police brutality community action organization, spoke last week with the Advance […]
Freedom of speech is under attack in public schools, U.S. House panel told
Students and teachers told U.S. House members during a Thursday hearing that their right to talk about race and LGBTQ+ issues in public schools is being silenced due to an onslaught of new state laws as well as pressure on school boards from right-wing advocates. “To be crystal clear, this is about disrupting and destroying […]
In wake of Lyoya’s death, a reckoning with Grand Rapids’ history of police brutality
The day before Grand Rapids officials released the video of Grand Rapids Police Department Officer Christopher Schurr shooting and killing Patrick Lyoya, a 26-year-old unarmed Black man, police began erecting concrete barricades around the department’s headquarters in downtown Grand Rapids. The barriers, a police spokeswoman said at the time, were a “precaution” as police prepared […]
Michigan man accused of threatening BLM supporters at Starbucks, leaving nooses for protesters
A retired optometrist from Saginaw was charged with hate crimes for allegedly intimidating Black Lives Matter protesters and threatening to lynch a Black person, the Justice Department announced Wednesday. Kenneth D. Pilon, 61, is accused of calling nine Starbucks stores in Michigan in 2020 and telling employees to tell their co-workers wearing Black Lives Matter […]
‘This was a human rights issue’: Over 1,000 people gather to mourn Lyoya, call for justice
A packed church of more than 1,000 people from across the world on Friday mourned and celebrated the life of Patrick Lyoya with prayers, song and a call for justice. “I come here today to … tell you this can not end today,” said the Rev. Al Sharpton, who delivered the eulogy at Lyoya’s funeral […]