Warning: police violence and death are described in this action and in the letter sample.

Grand Rapids has a problem, and it goes deep. We see it in:

• The murder of Patrick Lyoya, who was shot in the back of the head by a GRPD officer.
• The consistent targeting of Black and Brown folks by police and oppressive systems.
• The cover-up and lies regarding Patrick Lyoya's death.
• The consistent evasion of accountability to protect the status quo.

The residents of Grand Rapids have had enough. We have poured our grief and rage into direct actions, into conversations, into demonstrations, only to have city officials shut their ears while playing to the cameras.

We demand immediate actions:

• Because of the long-standing relationship between the police department and the prosecutor, Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker is simply too close to the GRPD. He must be recused for the case of Patrick Lyoya's murder.
• GRPD Officer Christopher Schurr, who shot Patrick Lyoya in the back of the head, must not be allowed to hide behind false investigations and corrupt court proceedings. He must be held fully accountable for the life he has taken.
• For community safety in the future, the GRPD budget must be cut so that there are fewer officers and fewer police murder weapons on the streets of GR: it must be cut to 32% of the general budget, the minimum stated in the city charter.
• This money must NOT be redirected to the so-called Office of Oversight and Public Accountability (OPA). Instead the money must be returned to the community so they can use it for community needs, reparations, and healing.

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