Voices chanted loudly down Grand Rapids streets Thursday afternoon, as more than a dozen youth and their supporters march across the city’s downtown, demanding more resources for those living unhoused.
The event, Housing is a Human Right, was a collaboration between Camp ARYV, Defund the GRPD, Grand Rapids Area Mutual Aid Network, Justice for Black Lives, and Together We Are Safe.
Marchers were with camp ARYV, which stands for Always Raise Youth Voices, a day program for middle schoolers that empowers them to “raise a ruckus for justice.” The group traveled from Veteran Park to Heartside Park, ending at the latter to pass out food and water bottles to community members.
The group said they are pushing city leaders to create more avenues for affordable housing.