September 16, 2021
Grand Rapids City Commission Ignores the Needs of GRPD to Appease Far-Left Radical Groups
Lansing, Mich., September 16, 2021 – A new report indicates that city staff in Grand Rapids wasted 200 hours putting together three resolutions, including a declaration to make racism a public health crisis. The resolutions come amid pressure from anti-police groups such as Justice for Black Lives, whose leader recently escalated an interaction with police creating a dangerous situation. Aly Bates, JFBL’s leader is pictured below, promoting a sign depicting law enforcement as “pigs.”
While the commission and staff spend days and weeks working to appease the radical left, they have ignored the needs of their own police department. With GRPD Chief Eric Payne set to retire in early 2022, many are questioning the city’s lackadaisical approach to finding his replacement. The city has indicated that the search will not begin for a couple more months, giving themselves limited time to find a new chief of police. Many in Grand Rapids now worry that the city is setting a dangerous precedent, one that caves to the whims of extremists while turning their back on police. Concerned citizens view this shift in priorities as the city getting one step closer to defunding its police department- the end goal for extremist groups like JFBL.
“The Grand Rapids City Commission needs to stand strong and send a message that they will not cower to radical leftists,” said Eric Ventimiglia, Executive Director for Michigan Rising Action. Ventimiglia continued, “Now is the time for this commission to draw a line in the sand and stand with the brave law enforcement officials who protect the city.”