- GRAARPR Newsletter
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- Book club, voting rights, and No Kings!
Hi, everyone,
Our community continues to be besieged by police and ICE presence. Multiple protesters have been arrested over the past few weeks while trying to obstruct the GRPD and ICE activity at 517 Ottawa Ave NW. GRPD and ICE are working together, even though Mayor LaGrand has continually denied this fact. The family of Mario David Coronado Juárez, who was killed in a car crash while fleeing ICE terror, has also been targeted and kidnapped. Ivan Diaz continues to face repression by the courts over a bogus noise charge following his protest of war criminals George Bush and Bill Clinton at the Economic Club of Grand Rapids dinner in June.
This is the tangled web of racism and political repression occurring in Grand Rapids. The Grand Rapids Alliance takes a firm stance against all racist and political repression. We know to do this we must study. We must come together. We must commit to working hard over time to build lasting change.
A City within a City book club!
 | We’re continuing to read A City within a City: The Black Freedom Struggle in Grand Rapids, Michigan by Todd E Robbinson. Our next book club meeting is at 6pm on October 8 at West Grand Neighborhood Organization (754 Leonard St NW Suite B, Grand Rapids, MI 49504) Suggested reading is Chapter 2: Citizens’ Action: Managerial Racism and Reform Politics. Even if you haven’t done the reading, we encourage you to come and join the discussion. |
Snacks will be provided, and if you need a book, please let us know!
We believe this book club will give us a better understanding of the historical conditions of Grand Rapids so we can better fight the racism our community experiences today.
No Kings Vote Early Rally October 17!
As we approach the midterms, our communities focus has been on ensuring progressive wins in the November 3 elections. As we head toward the polls, we are thinking about voting rights, about the way the system obstructs and works to further prevent black and working class voting. We must fight to ensure everyone has equal access to the polls if we are committed to democracy. Join us on October 17 at 11:30 at Rosa Parks Circle as we rally for voting rights in Kent County! |  |
Voting Rights Art Build for No Kings!
 | In preparation for No Kings, we’re hosting an art build on Sunday October 11 at noon so that we can make a banner and create signs advocating for voting rights. Join us in the IGE office, located in the basement of Fountain Street Church (24 Fountain St NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503). There will be food and music playing. Come make art with us! |
Come to our meetings!
We meet weekly at 7pm on Wednesdays in the basement of Fountain Street Church (24 Fountain St NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503). Any participation is welcome. We hope to see you there!
In solidarity,
The Grand Rapids Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression
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