For over a year now, activists have been protesting in Grand Rapids Michigan to demand that the city holds officers of the Grand Rapids Police Department accountable for their harmful actions against BIPOC community members, as well as that they also defund GRPD and reallocate those funds towards community needs (ie; real affordable housing, mental health counseling and other needed community resources). 

    As of right now, at least five peaceful protesters are facing various felony and misdemeanor charges that were unjustly given to them while practicing their first amendment rights. Among the individuals who are facing charges, the majority of them are members of the Michigan based organization, Justice for Black Lives (JFBL). For the past 18 months black leadership and other specific activists affiliated with JFBL have been repeatedly targeted by GRPD for speaking out against police violence. "We are just regular people that want better for our community.'' states one of the activists who's currently facing three misdemeanors. Please sign this petition to demand that the city drops the charges against all peaceful protesters.