Grand Rapids Declares Racism a Public Health Crisis, Radical Group Vows Further Unrest

September 29, 2021

Lansing, Mich., September 29, 2021 – The Grand Rapids City Commission approved a resolution that declares racism a public health crisis last night. The resolution comes amid growing threats of violence from radical leftist groups in the city, including Justice for Black Lives (JFBL). The organization has incited unrest on the streets on multiple occasions, and as recently as last Saturday. JFBL members were given numerous warnings during their protest for violating a slew of city ordinances, eventually leading to citations. When JFBL did not stop, the Grand Rapids Police Department (GRPD) attempted to detain activist Aly Bates but were physically confronted by other group members. MLive reports:

“Undeterred, the same individual again decided to use the bullhorn and – since this was a subsequent offense following a citation – officers made an attempt to take the woman into custody.”…“Police said that when officers tried to arrest the woman, others blocked police. Police arrested two of them while the woman fled. The arrests were for resisting and obstructing a police officer, the statement said.”

JFBL showed up to the city commission late last night with their own facts, claiming they were brutalized during a peaceful protest, not acknowledging the several broken laws committed, resisting arrest, and obstruction of a police officer. The speakers indicated they had proof of this yet provided no evidence. As the meeting continued, many of the radicals used their opportunity to speak to hurl insults and threats directed towards Commissioners and Police who were present. One man said that the GRPD “deserves revenge” and then threatened the commission that if they continue to turn a blind eye, he will be part of a “living tribunal that holds them accountable.” The man proceeded to say he knew more about the courts than anyone and was willing to escalate the situation to “jurassic” [drastic] proportions. Later, an individual who went by the name of Ethan Rios made the following remarks after hurling profanities at the commission:

While the two men made blatant threats to commissioners and police, the rest, including Aly Bates, regurgitated the same tired buzzwords Defund the Police groups have adopted over the years. They called the Grand Rapids Police Department, officers including Chief Eric Payne, an African-American, white supremacists, cowards, and monsters. Another claim was made that police mirrored slavery, and nearly all of them called for the defunding of the GRPD.

“The real headline from yesterday’s City Commission meeting is that Grand Rapids will receive grants enabling the City to hire five additional police officers,” said Eric Ventimiglia, Executive Director for Michigan Rising Action. Ventimiglia continued, “With illegitimate radical groups like JFBL continuing to incite violence in the streets, the move to hire more officers is the right one. Michigan Rising Action condemns the calls for violence and the numerous threats made by JFBL.”