“Let Grand Rapids be known not for fear, but for fairness. Not for division, but for dignity. Not for silence, but for moral courage.”
That’s Lead Pastor at Bethel Empowerment Church Jathan Austin, one of many interfaith leaders who spoke at Grand Rapids’ Madison Place.
“Let us be a city of where people are seen, valued, and protected.”
Local elected officials like Mayor David LaGrand joined in asking the community to stand with immigrants and refugees.
“Because I believe that every single resident of my community deserves safety, they deserve support, and they deserve to be valued, and every chance I get to reinforce those values, I will.”
The MLK Day gathering was hosted by social nonprofit Together West Michigan. It took place against the national backdrop of heightened tension between ICE agents and protestors after the recent killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis.
Grand Rapids’ Third Ward City Commissioner Marshall Kilgore.
“We are supposed to be a welcoming county. That is what we can do is to remind people, where you live here, you do not need to live in fear. You deserve to be able to go on with your life and thrive here locally.”
Together West Michigan has collected more than 700 signatures urging ICE to update safety protocols.
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