23-05-2025
Decision not to retry former police officer sparks outrage among Grand Rapids residents
Demonstrators gathered outside the Kent County Courthouse in Grand Rapids to rally against the decision not to retry Christopher Schurr. May 22, 2025 | Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz
'No Justice, No Peace' and 'Justice for Patrick' chants were heard again in downtown Grand Rapids Thursday, as community members gathered to demand justice for Patrick Lyoya and accountability for Grand Rapids police.
Dozens of demonstrators rallied with signs in hand at the doors of the Kent County Courthouse to share their frustration and anger against the decision by Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker not to seek a second trial against former Grand Rapids Police officer Christopher Schurr.
Schurr was charged with second-degree murder and later fired from the police force after fatally shooting Lyoya, a Black Congolese refugee, in the back of the head while he was facing the ground following a traffic stop on April 4, 2022. The confrontation escalated into a struggle when Lyoya tried to flee after failing to produce a driver's license.
During the announcement of his decision, Becker noted his decision was based on the fact that 'there was never a majority for a guilty verdict' among the 12 jurors, whom he interviewed after the mistrial was declared May 8.
Thursday's 'emergency rally' was organized by organizations including the Grand Rapids Alliance Against Racist and Political Oppression, demanding a retrial on the Schurr case.
'I'm going to be very clear in saying that if the Grand Rapids City Commission is not willing to listen to us and reform the police, there may be a time for us to escalate. That doesn't mean being violent, but it does mean maybe we need to disrupt the way that things are done in this city,' said Ivan Diaz, 27, a Michigan State senate candidate.
The rally was just the latest outlet for members of the public to vent their anger. Days after the mistrial, community members gave passionate comments at the Grand Rapids City Commission meeting, demanding justice for Lyoya and accountability over police actions. Additionally, on May 15, the NAACP organized a community listening session where residents expressed their experiences with police abuse and their outrage over the mistrial.
'I am going to keep showing up with everyone of you until we get the changes that we need. Because if we don't, one of us, or one of our family members or friends, we will continue to be at risk of becoming Mother Patrick, Mother Rowley, Mother Sammy,' Erykai Cage, 44, said during her speech.
As the rally continued, more people began to approach the crowd, including Grand Rapids Mayor David LaGrand and Kent County Commissioner Robert S. Womack. However, only Womack stayed and took the microphone to address the public, while LaGrand limited himself to speaking to a few media members and some demonstrators around the crowd before leaving.
'What you have seen is supposed to be a trial. But what it has come down to is a test of our resilience. Does Grand Rapids go back to business as usual? Do the politicians who refuse to help change the policies and laws surrounding police and community relations, do they go back to business as usual? We have to be resilient,' Womack told the crowd.
Womack's speech raised concerns among the audience about the absence of other politicians, with people asking why other commissioners weren't present.
'The only thing they care about is their careers. They do not care about anything else. And if you want to test me, you can say, 'Hey, maybe Commissioner Womack is just saying that.' Okay, then where the hell are they right now?' Womack said.
Before the rally ended, the demonstrators chanted pro-Lyoya slogans and held up their signs. There was little police presence around the rally, and no counter protesters, so the gathering ended without incident.
'To me, this is personal because I'm a Black mother, and these children are, at the end of the day, somebody's children, and they are also members of my community. We're unheard. They [politicians] have everything that they wanted. This is what their decisions made, not ours,' Cage said.
'As long as I have breath in my body, I'm optimistic because I'm going to continue to do what I need to do in order to make sure that I see justice,' she finished.
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Demonstrators gathered outside the Kent County Courthouse in Grand Rapids to rally against the decision not to retry Christopher Schurr. May 22, 2025 | Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz
Demonstrators gathered outside the Kent County Courthouse in Grand Rapids to rally against the decision not to retry Christopher Schurr. May 22, 2025 | Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz
Demonstrators gathered outside the Kent County Courthouse in Grand Rapids to rally against the decision not to retry Christopher Schurr. May 22, 2025 | Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz
Demonstrators gathered outside the Kent County Courthouse in Grand Rapids to rally against the decision not to retry Christopher Schurr. May 22, 2025 | Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz
Demonstrators gathered outside the Kent County Courthouse in Grand Rapids to rally against the decision not to retry Christopher Schurr. May 22, 2025 | Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz
Kent County Commissioner Robert S. Womack speaks to the press outside the Kent County Courthouse in Grand Rapids on May 22, 2025 | Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz
Grand Rapids Mayor LaGrand speaks to the press outside the Kent County Courthouse in Grand Rapids on May 22, 2025 | Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz
Demonstrators gathered outside the Kent County Courthouse in Grand Rapids to rally against the decision not to retry Christopher Schurr. May 22, 2025 | Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz
Demonstrators gathered outside the Kent County Courthouse in Grand Rapids to rally against the decision not to retry Christopher Schurr. May 22, 2025 | Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz
Ivan Diaz, a Michigan State senate candidate, gives a speech outside the Kent County Courthouse in Grand Rapids against the decision not to retry Christopher Schurr. May 22, 2025 | Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz
