Grand Rapids, MI – On September 2, over a dozen community members gathered for an emergency protest held by Grand Rapids Opponents of War (GROW) in response to Trump air strikes on southern Iran. 

The U.S. strikes resulted in multiple civilian deaths, with Al Jazeera reporting at least 11 people killed. Iran’s state media confirmed a separate U.S. strike on a family wedding procession killed two women and two children in south Iran.

The rally was met with overwhelming community support from pedestrians, as well as dozens of cheers and solidarity fists from cars passing by on their way home from work.

Protesters held a large banner that read “No U.S. war on Iran” visible at the intersection. Many participants held signs reading, “No blood for oil” and “U.S. hands off Iran!” 

Jude Florez, representing GROW, reminded the crowd about the U.S. government’s history of bombing wedding processions, including a Yemeni wedding procession. Jude urged the crowd that with Trump as commander in chief, “We must not grow desensitized to the brutal acts carried out by the U.S. government. We must continue to show up and condemn these war crimes.” 

Aanya Usmani spoke on behalf of Palestine Solidarity Grand Rapids, saying, “By being out here today, we are honoring the brave Iranian people who lost two daughters and two mothers in yesterday's U.S. air strikes on a wedding celebration.” At which the crowd shouted “Shame!” 

The rest of the hour was spent chanting and handing out flyers to people. GROW promoted their current campaign urging Grand Rapids City Council to adopt a proclamation calling for no U.S. sanctions and no U.S. war on Iran, Venezuela and Cuba.

#GrandRapidsMI #MI #AntiWarMovement #Iran #GROW

Grand Rapids, MI – On the afternoon of Sunday, August 23, community members gathered in Richmond Park to express solidarity with Haitian immigrants. They condemned the Trump administration’s anti-immigrant policies, focusing on the recent removal of Temporary Protection Status (TPS) for 350,000 Haitian immigrants.

More than two dozen demonstrators attended the rally called by the Grand Rapids Coalition Against Trump. Protesters joined together in a spirited chorus of chants and drumming. They waved Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) placards reading, “Stop the mass deportation of Haitians.” The rally drew the support of passersby and the interest of neighborhood residents, some who emerged from their homes to listen to speakers,

Former Kent County Commissioner Ivan Diaz highlighted Haiti’s struggle against U.S. intervention, saying, “That revolution, its consequences for the world, and our country’s response to that revolution, have been ongoing for hundreds of years. It has brought us to the moment in history that we are in today, where that U.S. oppression has made it so that the people who are still in Haiti have to struggle each and every day just to get their basic necessities.”

Lukas Forester, with Grand Rapids Opponents of War, said, “Aggression here at home begins with aggression abroad.” Forester detailed the history of worker exploitation, economic sanctions, gunboat diplomacy, and military interventions to which the U.S. government has long subjected the Haitian people.

“These latest measures are simply a continuation of a long, concerted effort to treat Haiti as if it is a playground for Western interests,” said Sam Tunningley of the Grand Rapids Alliance Against Racism and Political Repression.

Tunningley continued, “The move to end TPS is yet another example of the Trump administration and ICE appealing to the basest and most backwards tribalism in U.S. society. They need an enemy, whether it be immigrants, activists or some ‘other’ they can target, anything to distract from their own failures.”

Mario Pierre, founder of Union in Action for Haiti, expressed dismay over the removal of protections. He explained how the threat of deportation impairs people’s ability to work safely and to support themselves, ultimately jeopardizing the wellbeing of the entire country.

Pierre said, “The president says he is going to make the country great again? It is not great again, but the country is poor, not rich.”

Trump and ICE are leveling attack after attack on immigrant rights. This most recent racist campaign, attacking Haitians, is part of the ongoing repression by ICE. Grand Rapids organizers are resolved to resist, chanting, “When immigrants are under attack. What do we do? Stand up and fight back!”

#GrandRapidsMI #MI #ImmigrantRights #Haitians #TPS

Grand Rapids, MI – On the morning of August 19, activists walked into the Grand Rapids Retirement System board meeting with one goal in mind: “What will it take for the city pension plan to divest from Israeli companies?”

The ongoing “Grand Rapids Divest from Israel” campaign started when Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests confirmed the existence of a $1.1 million investment from the retirement system in an Israeli AI company called NiCE.

NiCE makes AI-powered software for use in anything from business management to police surveillance. 

“Word has gotten out among the broad public that our government has been funneling billions of dollars into Israel every year, and Americans are rightly upset about it,” said Nick Young during the public comment section of the board meeting. 

Young continued, “We suggest that you, as the board of the Gener