NASW-Michigan Condemns the Grand Rapids Police Killing of Patrick Lyoya
Friday, April 15, 2022
NASW-Michigan Condemns the Grand Rapids Police Killing of Patrick Lyoya
Once again we find ourselves as a nation grappling with the murder of an unarmed black man by a white police officer, this time in one of our Michigan communities. On April 4, Patrick Lyoya, was shot in the back of the head by a still-unidentified officer in Grand Rapids during a struggle at a traffic stop. No one should expect a traffic stop for a minor infraction to turn deadly.
The National Association of Social Worker-Michigan Chapter extends its condolences to the families and friends of Patrick Lyoya and calls for greater action and accountability regarding excessive force and police shootings at the local, state, and federal levels.
For years, Grand Rapids community members and activists have made calls for changes to the police force, which have largely gone unheeded. The Grand Rapids Police Department has drawn outrage for repeated use of excessive force and drawing weapons on residents, especially residents of color, with little accountability or systemic change.
On April 14, 2022 the NASW-Michigan Board of Directors voted to support the
action and acountability steps
outlined by the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan (ACLU), the Greater Grand Rapids NAACP, LINC UP, and the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center.
“Accountability requires not just full transparency, but a commitment to fundamentally changing policing so that no more lives are lost. The City and GRPD must listen to the voices of Mr. Lyoya’s family and those at the forefront of this struggle about what they need in this time of crisis. We urgently call on the City of Grand Rapids, GRPD, and government officials to take the following immediate steps:
The name of the officer involved who shot and killed Patrick Lyoya must be disclosed; A prosecutor outside of Kent County, who does not work regularly with the GRPD, must be appointed to handle this case, as is legally required in many states and is widely acknowledged to be best practice; A federal investigation must be immediately launched into this killing along with the history and culture of the GRPD; The community must have a seat at the table in the ongoing negotiations over the GRPD police union contracts, which have for far too long shielded officers from accountability and which do not reflect the community’s priorities for how to achieve public safety in our City; Both the Civilian Appeal Board and the Office of Oversight and Public Accountability must be given the authority, resources, and funding to provide true civilian oversight and be able to affect real change; an The City and GRPD must respect the constitutional right of all people to protest this tragedy and exercise their freedom of speech without violence, threats or intimidation.”
NASW-Michigan implores Congress, state, county, and local governments to reallocate and reinvest resources from current militaristic law enforcement paradigms into mental health, living wage jobs, affordable housing, and alternatives for anti-racist public safety services. Additionally, NASW-Michigan encourages social workers to support community-based response efforts and oppose any efforts to directly embed social workers in law enforcement positions.
This statement was written in collaboration by members of the NASW-Michigan Board of Directors, staff, and Social Justice and Anti-Racism Committee members.
 
 
 
Potential Action:
Resources for Social Workers:
Statements from Around the State
Governor Gretchen Whitmer
“The Lieutenant Governor and I spoke with Patrick’s family and our hearts are with them and the Grand Rapids community who are dealing with unimaginable pain and loss. Patrick was 26. He arrived in the United States as a refugee with his family fleeing violence. He had his whole life ahead of him. Patrick was a son, a dad of two young daughters, and an older brother to his five siblings.
“The Michigan State Police will conduct a transparent, independent investigation of the shooting. Then, prosecutors must consider all the evidence, follow the law, and take appropriate action on charges. Justice is foundational to safety, and without justice, we are all less safe.
“Patrick’s father asked me to convey his hope that any demonstrations in his son’s honor remain peaceful, and as Governor I share this view. We must come together and build a future where Black Michiganders are afforded equal rights, dignity, and safety in our communities. I will never stop fighting to make Michigan a more equitable and just state.”
Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II
“Governor Whitmer and I spoke to Patrick Lyoya’s family. They are feeling the deep pain that too many have felt, a terrible loss in a moment that feels all too sickeningly familiar. His father Peter described his son as a generous and caring man whom he wants to be remembered peacefully. Patrick was a loving father, a loyal friend, and a proud member of the Grand Rapids community who enjoyed sharing fellowship and culture with those around him.
“I am heartbroken by what we all have witnessed as a father, public servant, and a Black man. People are frustrated and hurting—searching for answers. Black people in Grand Rapids, in Michigan, and across the country are mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausted from generations of struggle. Yet we press on. When we demonstrate and make our voices heard, we must do so in a way that lifts our call for justice beyond the deepening the pain of this community. We must never cease our efforts to reverse inequities, create systemic change, and guarantee justice for communities of color. We must recommit ourselves, through our words and deeds, to working together to build a more perfect union and a Michigan with equality and justice for all, where every interaction within our community, especially those with law enforcement, end with everyone able to return home to their families without harm.
“It is critical now to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation to achieve justice, deliver accountability, and understand what happened, for Patrick Lyoya’s family as expeditiously as possible.”
Loren Khogali, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, has this statement:
“The brutal and senseless death of Patrick Lyoya is the result of a police interaction that unnecessarily escalated to violence, the reflection of a policing culture that relies on enforcement and tolerates violent responses to nonviolent situations. The community waited nine days for the release of this horrific video showing the death of Patrick Lyoya at the hands of a GRPD officer. The video evidence raises more questions, and the City must be absolutely transparent throughout this investigation. For years, the community has been calling for an end to racist policing practices and for a public safety model based on community reinvestment. The GRPD and City’s lack of response has now resulted in Mr. Lyoya’s killing. This must end. A meaningful and impactful response to the community’s call for change is long overdue.”
Cle J. Jackson, president of the Greater Grand Rapids NAACP has this statement:
“Rage and hurt do not begin to express the depth of despair that we are experiencing at the site of another Black man killed at the hands of a police officer. When will the killing of Black people stop? We must stop it. We must ensure this senseless loss of life is not in vain. We demand accountability and full transparency. We demand the full release of every document related to the killing of Patrick Lyoya. We demand a police department that can truly be trusted to protect and serve all people. Patrick, his family, and the greater community of Grand Rapids, deserve nothing less.”
LaKiya Jenkins, executive director of LINC UP has this statement:
“I am deeply saddened by the violent murder of Patrick Lyoya. Our current policing structure continues to fail us and intentional change must happen now. We stand in solidarity with the family and local community in the call for justice. To our community, justice is the immediate arrest of the officer involved and the full cooperation of the other officers on the scene. Justice is ultimately an indictment brought down by an independent prosecutor who will pursue this case with clear eyes. Anything less will be a failure by our city's leaders.”
Susan Reed, attorney and director of Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, has this statement:
“Like all immigrants, Patrick Lyoya deserved to find freedom and safety in our country. The Grand Rapids police broke that promise. We mourn with the family and community as we call for justice for Patrick.”
Statement from Black Lives Matter Lansing
“Grand Rapids Police Department, the prosecutor and Michigan State Police have had a week to prepare the videos and a narrative. Where is the officer and is his lawyer still on vacation?
This is not transparency. We have heard it all before too many times and now we have seen with our own eyes. Again.
From the time the officer arrived on the scene to the time Patrick Lyoya was murdered, was no more than 2 minutes. There was nothing in that encounter that warranted him to be executed. He was unarmed. We have seen police arrest and apprehend white people, armed and unarmed; with no injuries. Even after committing mass murders.
Patrick Lyoya was pursued, stopped, and murdered over a license plate. This was no accident. This is proof that policing does nothing but murder and harm Black lives regardless of ethnicity or nationality. The loss of this precious Black life is on the hands of GRPD. DEFUND POLICE AND REFUND THE PEOPLE!
We send our love and support to the Lyoya family and will honor requests they make of the community.”
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