September 10, 2021
Grand Rapids Agitators Try to Sow Unrest to Remain Relevant
Lansing, Mich., September 10, 2021 – An anti-police group in Grand Rapids,“Justice for Black Lives,” is trying to manufacture news stories in order to remain relevant. The leader of JFBL, Alyssa Bates, is a fervent anti-police advocate. Bates is the de facto leader of the defund the police movement in Grand Rapids, but has failed to build a substantial coalition. This group is composed of inexperienced paper tigers, a few agitators stirring up trouble to make headlines and subsequently, cash. Last week, Bates filmed and actively interfered with a police investigation. According to Grand Rapids Police Chief Robert Payne, that created a dangerous situation. WOOD TV reports:
“Payne said the officers tried to de-escalate the situation, but eventually additional crews were sent to the McDonald’s “due to the subject’s resistance and the crowd”…‘We understand that sometimes bystanders may be upset or concerned about a police contact, but that is not the time to engage or interfere with the officers. That could easily lead to someone getting hurt.’”
Observing this unnecessary escalation of a police interaction and the dire financial position of the group inevitably raises suspicion around Bates’ motives. Bates and the JFBL have put social justice on the back burner, and are primarily focused on their scheme to get in front of cameras and raise money.
“This radical group’s objective is to fundraise by fomenting violence and unrest,” said Eric Ventimiglia, Executive Director for Michigan Rising Action. Ventimiglia continued, “JFBL shamelessly interfered with a police investigation and recorded this video to serve as clickbait. It is a sad state of affairs when groups that claim to have noble causes abandon their principles for money and relevance.”