history – Media Works of John Rothwell

Music and Solidarity: West Michigan Concert Supports Families Affected by Immigration Enforcement

More than 1,300 people filled the pews and balconies of Fountain Street Church on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026, for a benefit concert aimed at bringing hope and support to immigrant families in West Michigan.

Organizers said the event raised more than $45,000, with funds split evenly among three local groups: Movimento Cosecha GR, SECOM Community Resource Center and Kent County Indivisible. The groups work to support immigrant families, especially those affected by actions from United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

But organizers said the concert was about more than raising money. They said their biggest goal was to bring joy to the community during a difficult time.

“In the midst of all that’s going on in the world today, their biggest goal for this event was to bring joy to others,” organizers said.

The concert began as a simple idea just over three months ago. With the help of nearly 100 volunteers, that idea grew into a large gathering that brought together music, community and activism.

“The idea was, is there any way that we could bring the community together for a benefit concert where the whole day would be focused on music, food, joy and the common cause of helping immigrant families affected by ICE,” said John Haines of Kent County Indivisible.

Throughout the afternoon, music filled the historic church. Local musicians, including Jeff Schroeder, Friends and Cabildo and BootStrap Boys, performed for the crowd. Many audience members clapped, danced and sang along, creating a feeling of unity and celebration.

Those who attended walked through information tables set up by local organizations. Volunteers shared resources, answered questions and explained ways people could support immigrant families in West Michigan.

Organizers said they hoped people would leave not only entertained but also inspired.

The event was designed to show a different side of community action. Instead of focusing only on protest, it focused on bringing people together through music and shared experiences.

People of all ages attended, from young children to seniors. Families sat together in the pews, while others stood in the back or gathered in hallways to listen. Many said they came to show support and stand in solidarity with immigrant neighbors.

Organizers said the strong turnout showed how much the community cares.

“This was about solidarity,” one volunteer said. “People wanted to show they care and that they stand together.”

Many attendees said the concert gave them hope. They said it reminded them that even during stressful and uncertain times, people can still come together to support one another.

Organizers acknowledged that the challenges facing immigrant families will continue. They said news and social media can often feel overwhelming and discouraging.

But they hope this event left people with something positive to hold onto.

People came together in solidarity to join in a day of music, joy and protest to help families affected by immigration enforcement. Organizers said they know that when people return to their daily lives and see difficult headlines again, they will remember this day.

They hope the concert planted what one organizer called “a seed of a memory” — proof that community, compassion and joy are still possible.

Michigan Lawmaker Proposes Civil Immunity for Police Amid Schurr Trial

Grand Rapids, MI -As former Grand Rapids police officer Christopher Schurr stands trial for second-degree murder in the 2022 shooting of Patrick Lyoya, a Michigan state lawmaker is pushing for new legislation that would shield police officers from civil lawsuits when cleared of criminal wrongdoing in self-defense incidents.

State Representative James DeSana, R-Carleton, held a press conference Monday morning, April 28, in front of the Kent County Courthouse to unveil House Bill 4404. The proposed legislation would create a presumption of civil immunity for individuals—especially law enforcement officers—who use force in self-defense and are found not guilty or not charged in criminal court.

Schurr is accused of fatally shooting 26-year-old Patrick Lyoya, a Congolese immigrant, during a traffic stop that escalated into a physical struggle over the officer’s Taser. Schurr shot Lyoya in the back of the head while on top of him.

“This officer does not deserve what is happening to him today,” DeSana said during the announcement. “We are here to stand with him and every police officer in the state of Michigan.”

Bill Would Shift Burden in Civil Cases

Under current Michigan law, even if a person is cleared of criminal charges, they can still be sued in civil court. House Bill 4404 aims to reverse that presumption by shifting the burden of proof onto the plaintiff.

“It will make Michigan self-defense protections among the strongest in the nation,” said DeSana. “House Bill 4404 fixes the current system by creating a presumption of civil immunity after a favorable criminal outcome.”

The bill also promises full recovery of legal costs for defendants found immune—including attorney fees, court costs, and lost wages. It further expands protections to include threatened use of force, which current laws do not clearly address.

Catholic Teaching Cited

In a unique turn, DeSana cited the Catechism of the Catholic Church to defend Schurr’s actions. He pointed to Articles 2263, 2264, and 2265, which describe self-defense as both morally legitimate and, in some cases, a grave duty—especially for those tasked with protecting others.

“These exact circumstances existed for Officer Christopher Schurr,” DeSana said. “A person didn’t comply with an officer’s repeated orders, engaged the officer violently, and tried to take his Taser. This is not the result any of us want, but self-defense in such cases is morally justified.”

DeSana also recounted advice given in his own concealed pistol license class, where police officers instruct civilians to aim for the center of mass and eliminate the threat when faced with imminent danger.

Schurr Supporters Speak Out

DeSana was joined by Adam de Angeli, founder of the Coalition to Rescue Michigan. De Angeli strongly criticized the prosecution of Schurr and questioned why the case had advanced to trial at all.

“Christopher Schurr is an innocent man, and the video evidence proves it,” de Angeli said. “Patrick Lyoya disobeyed every command the officer gave, fought him hand-to-hand, and attempted to take his Taser—a deadly weapon in unlawful hands.”

He warned that the prosecution could have a chilling effect on law enforcement officers across Michigan.

“Every police officer in Michigan will pay the price for this,” he said. “They’ll fear that using their own weapon in self-defense might destroy their career and life. That’s a public safety concern for every citizen.”

Public Reaction Mixed

About a dozen supporters, many holding “Back the Blue” flags, gathered alongside DeSana during the press conference. Afterward, they lined the sidewalk outside the courthouse to show support for Schurr. Some passing drivers honked in solidarity, while others voiced their opposition.

The case continues to polarize the Grand Rapids community. Many civil rights advocates view the shooting as unjustified and argue that Lyoya, who was unarmed, should not have been met with lethal force. They are also deeply concerned about the proposed legislation.

“This bill would create a legal shield that lets bad actors in law enforcement avoid consequences,” said one protester outside the courthouse. “If you can’t sue, even when the system fails to convict, what recourse is left for victims and their families?”

What Comes Next

House Bill 4404 has not yet been formally introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives, and it remains to be seen how much legislative support it will garner. DeSana and his allies say the bill is a necessary step to protect officers who put themselves in harm’s way. Critics argue that it could erode public trust in law enforcement and eliminate a crucial check on the use of force.

As Schurr’s trial continues, House Bill 4404 is certain to add fuel to the broader state and national debates around policing, self-defense, and civil rights.

“Picket the Plaza” Draws Crowds to Calder Plaza in Protest of Trump Policies

Grand Rapids, MI — Hundreds of voices rang out across Calder Plaza on Saturday afternoon April 20, 2025 as demonstrators gathered for “Picket the Plaza,” a protest against the Trump administration and what many described as a troubling direction for the country. The event, part of a nationwide day of action, drew people from all walks of life to downtown Grand Rapids in a unified call for justice, accountability, and the protection of civil rights.

Beginning with a powerful visual display, protesters lined bridges over Grand Rapids’ highways at noon, holding signs and waving to honking cars below. After an hour of peaceful bridge demonstrations, the crowd convened at Calder Plaza where the energy only grew louder.

Messages of hope, frustration, and resistance filled the air, with signs bearing slogans like “Make love more contagious than measles,” “Disarm DOGE,” and “Everyone is innocent until proven guilty.” The chants echoed through the city blocks: “Hey hey, ho ho, Donald Trump has got to go,” and “Trans rights are human rights.”

“I care about everybody,” said protester Dee Jones, eyes filled with determination. “There’s a lot of injustice, inequities, and unethical things happening not just globally, but right here in the U.S. I’m sad. I’m disappointed. I’m angry. But I can do something. I can lead, and that’s why I’m here.”

Speakers took the stage to voice deep concern over President Trump’s influence and the direction of the Republican Party. Organizer Karen Dunnam didn’t mince words: “What’s going on in the Trump regime is not normal. It needs to be stopped, adjusted, rearranged—made palatable.”

Many attendees admitted it was their first time protesting, driven by what they see as an urgent need for action. Fear of rising authoritarianism and threats to democratic norms brought them out of their homes and into the streets.

From the bridges to the plaza, from chants to speeches, the message was clear: silence is not an option. As many people boldly declared, “It’s not the time to stay home—it’s time to take action.”