[ [link removed] ][IMG][ [link removed] ]WE NEED JUSTICE FOR PATRICK LYOYA
John, we recently sent you an email about our campaign
demanding justice for Patrick Lyoya — but we noticed you haven’t contacted
officials in Grand Rapids, Michigan yet.
[ [link removed] ]The fact is, we need all hands on deck now to put pressure on Grand
Rapids officials as we fight for justice and accountability for Patrick
Lyoya. John, taking action will only take one minute.
[ [link removed] ]DEMAND accountability now
On April 25 — after weeks of public pressure — the Grand Rapids police
chief finally released the name of the police officer who murdered Patrick
Lyoya.^1 Releasing the officer’s name is not enough — he’s still on
administrative leave and not being held accountable for Lyoya's murder.
Grand Rapids officials must continue to hear from us. Here are the rest of
our demands:
1. Fire the officer immediately.
2. Demand a thorough federal investigation into both Patrick’s murder and
the history and culture of racist violence in the Grand Rapids Police
Department.
3. Demand local and state elected officials invest in community-led
alternatives to policing — and take REAL action now to keep Black people
safe.
[ [link removed] ]Join the over 12,000 other Color Of Change members telling the city of
Grand Rapids that enough is enough! Demand city officials take action
now.
Until justice is real,
Color Of Change’s Criminal Justice & Democracy Team
P.S. See our original email re: demanding justice for Patrick Lyoya.
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Dear John,
Patrick Lyoya should be alive today.
On April 4, Patrick Lyoya was shot in the back of the head by a Grand
Rapids, Michigan police officer, during a traffic stop. In response to
community demands for transparency and accountability, officials released
brutal bodycam footage showing the police officer kneeling on Patrick’s
back and murdering him, execution-style.^1
And while Patrick’s family and neighbors take to the streets to demand
justice for their loved one, Grand Rapids officials have gone silent. The
city’s police department is still withholding the name of Patrick’s
murderer. In fact, the Grand Rapids Police Department (GRPD) just put the
officer on paid leave.^2
[ [link removed] ]After murdering a community member, the police officer is on a
taxpayer-funded vacation. This is despicable, inhumane, and far too common
in this country. We need justice for Patrick Lyoya NOW.
[ [link removed] ]DEMAND JUSTICE
FOR PATRICK
Patrick Lyoya was a 26-year-old Congolese refugee who moved to Michigan in
2014. Patrick was also a brother, a son, a father of two young girls, and
he should be alive today. But a militarized, unaccountable police force
murdered him — tearing another family apart and forcing yet another
community to mourn a senseless and preventable death.
Patrick’s murder has sent shockwaves through his community as well. His
loved ones and neighbors will have to carry that trauma and psychological
pain for days, weeks, months, years. And unless we take action now,
Patrick’s family and community will live with the fear that GRPD can
murder again with impunity.
[ [link removed] ]We will not remain silent or let officials sweep this case under the
rug. Add your name to demand accountability from Grand Rapids officials.
[ [link removed] ]take action now
That’s why, standing with the Grand Rapids community, we must demand
action from elected officials to seek justice and accountability for
Patrick Lyoya. These demands will not only seek action in response to his
murder, but will also get us one step closer to the structural change we
need to keep Black people safe — in Grand Rapids and across the country:
1. Disclose the name of the police officer who shot and killed Patrick,
and fire the officer immediately.
2. Demand a thorough federal investigation into both Patrick’s murder and
the history and culture of racist violence in the Grand Rapids Police
Department.
3. Demand local and state elected officials invest in community-led
alternatives to policing that would have prevented this senseless murder
from happening in the first place — and take REAL action now to keep Black
people safe.
[ [link removed] ]Our communities deserve and demand real safety — a world where our
loved ones can make it home safe and whole at the end of the day. Where no
one lives in fear of police violence and brutality. It’s on us to fight
for that world, and to make sure what happened to Patrick never happens
again. Take action now!
Thank you for joining us in this fight.
Until Justice is Real,
Color Of Change’s Criminal Justice & Democracy Team
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References
1. [ [link removed] ]Christopher Schurr, Patrick Lyoya and the Grand Rapids police
shooting: What we know. Detroit Free Press, 26 April 2022.
2. [ [link removed] ]Officer’s body camera went dark during key moment of Patrick
Lyoya’s death. PBS, 15 April 2022.
3. [ [link removed] ]Patrick Lyoya shooting: What charges the Grand Rapids police
officer could face. Fox 2 Detroit, 14 April 2022.
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[ [link removed] ]Color Of Change is building a movement to elevate the voices of Black
folks and our allies, and win real social and political change. Please
help keep our movement strong.
[ [link removed] ]Make a Donation
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