Honoring Samuel "SD" Sterling

A vigil and march, Unity in the Community, and Support for Ky

Author

GRAARPR Staff
April 06, 2026

Hello, fellow community members,

We hope you are taking care of yourself and your neighbors during this difficult time, and that you are finding time to organize in any way you can. We are continuing to support community members who have been victims of racism and political repression. We hope you will stand with us and help.

Honoring Samuel Sterling: A vigil and a march

On April 17, it will be two years since the murder of Samuel Sterling by former Michigan State Police (MSP) Officer Brian Keely. Samuel was chased by police and struck by Keely. Samuel was pinned by the police vehicle and pronounced dead at the hospital a few hours later. Charges against Keely were dismissed, and nothing has changed to prevent this from continuing to happen.

We cannot let that be. We cannot accept the murder of our black neighbors as a fact of life! We cannot let this keep happening. We must fight. We must demand justice against the plague of police, city, and state sanctioned violence in our community.

To honor Samuel Sterling and to come together in our commitment to justice we are hosting a vigil and march on Saturday, April 18th at 3pm.

We’ll meet at the Speedway 815 52nd Ave SE in Kentwood, and we’ll end at the Burger King across the street at 5260 Eastern Ave. The Burger King is where former MSP Officer Brian Keely murdered Samuel Sterling.

Sign making for Samuel Sterling

In preparation for the event, we’ll meet at the IGE office on April 11 at 11am to make signs. Supplies will be provided but you’re encouraged to bring your own. The address is 24 Fountain St NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Unity in the Community

We want to work with all organizations that are committed to social justice. We believe we are stronger together than we are apart. That’s why we’re excited for the Unity in the Community gathering, an upcoming community-organized event where greater Grand Rapids social justice groups are being urged to meet, mingle, and work towards a common goal.

The event will be Thursday, April 16 from 5:30pm to 8pm at Fountain Street Church (24 Fountain St 49503)

If you are looking to become more involved in your community, we urge you to attend. If you have an organization and would like to meet other organizations, we urge you to attend and bring a clipboard with your organization’s fliers. If you’re looking to be around like-minded people, we’re certain you’ll have a good time. Join us!

Supporting Ky, a victim of political repression

We want to boost the efforts of Aly Thee Activist (@alytheeactivist) and Accountable Communities for Abolition (@acabolition) to support and raise money for Ky, a victim of political repression in Grand Rapids. Ky is facing six months of jail time because of bogus charges related to her activism after the death of Patrick Lyoya. She needs your help. Use the QR code to visit a post by Aly that shares Ky’s story and ways you can support.

We welcome you to all of these actions and to come and organize with us. The Grand Rapids Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression meets every Wednesday at 7pm in the IGE Office located at Fountain Street Church (24 Fountain St 49503) .

In solidarity,

GRAARPR

Reply

or to participate.