Jun 7, 2017Rush to find $5M for “police community relations” brings questions for equity-minded citizensLess than two months ago, Grand Rapids City Manager Greg Sundstrom asked the City Commission to fund recommendations resulting from Lamberth Consulting’s traffic study on racial bias. The City Commission rejected this “knee jerk” reaction. First Ward Commission Jon O’Connor said, “I don’t think it’s good to react with knee-jerk…Equity4 min read
May 1, 2017Equity PAC strongly endorses schools millage, opportunity for state advocacyAfter two meetings with the Kent Intermediate School District and other leaders on the Strong Schools, Strong Communities millage, The Equity PAC membership has voted unanimously to support in an electronic vote. …Education4 min read
Apr 13, 2017Where are our equitable, elected city leaders in the face of inequity?Call your Mayor and City Commissioners and demand that police officers apologize to 5 unarmed boys Tag Mayor Bliss and your two commissioners on Facebook and ask “The community has spoken; do you feel the five boys deserve an apology?” #whatsyourstance On Tuesday evening at City Hall, 46 people lined…Police Brutality4 min read
Apr 9, 2017Grand Rapids ignored Mike BrownMike Brown is now familiar to most of us in Grand Rapids. If you are, for some reason, unfamiliar, you can catch up on his unremarkable humanity and the penalty for his blackness and poverty, here. …Black Lives Matter4 min read
Apr 9, 2017Call to action on police reform: Tuesday at 6:30pm, City HallIn late March, five unarmed, misidentified African American boys ages 12 to 14 were held at gun point by the Grand Rapids Police Department. This event was yet another incident demonstrating the need for police reform that ensures fair and equitable treatment of all people. This is why we are…Police Brutality4 min read
Apr 9, 2017We need Community Equity ReportersWe need Community Equity Reporters Want to attend key commission and trustee meetings in the community? Equity PAC works to understand and keep a finger on decisions being considered in important spaces such as city and county commission meetings. Amy Carpenter, Equity PAC’s strategic communications coordinator, is looking for people or groups of people willing to attend one meeting a month to take notes. This will help Equity PAC build our monthly equity report on key decisions being made throughout the city.Meetings1 min read
Mar 20, 2017Volunteers to help with Diversification of Government workVolunteers to help with Diversification of Government work 1–2 hours / week If you are interested in being involved in the diversification of government effort of Equity PAC, please email equitymichiganpac@gmail.com. Must have own transportation, access to laptop and internet and interest in organizing work around diversification of local government. …FOIA2 min read
Mar 12, 2017Our leaders needs us to start a movementOur leaders needs us to start a movement Equity PAC started in early 2016 when the Grand Rapids City Commission voted in favor of a plan to allow the Grand Rapids Police Department to acquire 65 rifles to place into their cruisers. Despite concerns and requests for public comment from…Politics4 min read
Mar 6, 2017Equity PAC Summer InternshipEquity PAC Summer Internship 10–20 hours per week Summary The Equity PAC Internship is responsible for support of day-to-day administrative functions, events, communications and action work. The intern reports to the Executive Team and has primary responsibilities for supporting lead organizers in membership recruitment, event set up and grassroots work. …Politics2 min read
Mar 6, 2017State of the City in Grand Rapids focuses on racial equity, promises future outcomesGrand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss’ second annual State of the City address, delivered last week, provided ample proof that the mayor intends to continue to make racial equity issues a central focus of her work. Before an audience of several hundred, as well as those who live streamed the event…Politics4 min read
