Saturday marked the fifth straight day of demonstrations in Grand Rapids over the police shooting of Patrick Lyoya.
GRAND RAPIDS — Demonstrators in Grand Rapids on Saturday continued to protest the fatal police shooting of Patrick Lyoya, a 26-year-old Congolese refugee, returning for a fifth consecutive day of marches. Lyoya was shot and killed by a Grand Rapids police officer April 4 during a traffic stop. The officer has not been charged in the shooting. Grand Rapids Police Department officials released footage of Lyoya’s shooting Wednesday. Hundreds joined in demonstrations, with some groups traveling from out of state to participate. Speakers at the event implored the group to remain peaceful. “Do not give them a reason,” said Brianna Pearson, one of the event organizers, as the police formed a barrier to prevent the group from continuing on Ottawa Avenue toward Van Angel Arena. DeAndre Jones, one of the local activists who has participated in the protests, implored the group to ask their state representatives to pass legislation removing qualified immunity for police.
