Grand Rapids, Mich. — On the eve of the trial of former Grand Rapids police officer Christopher Schurr, hundreds gathered in downtown Grand Rapids on Sunday to demand justice for Patrick Lyoya, whose tragic death in April 2022 sparked widespread protests and debates about police practices. The demonstrators, marching from the Kent County Courthouse through the heart of the city, stopped in front of the Grand Rapids Police Department, chanting “Justice for Patrick” and “No Justice, No Peace.”
Lyoya, a 26-year-old Black man, was fatally shot by Schurr during a traffic stop in April 2022. The incident, which was captured on video, quickly gained national attention and led to weeks of protests throughout the city. Schurr was fired from the police force and later charged with second-degree murder, a development that further ignited the call for accountability.
The march on Sunday was a powerful reminder that, despite the passing of time and delays in the judicial process, the fight for justice continues to resonate deeply within the community.
“This is about human rights,” one protester said. “It could’ve been anyone. It’s not about race or ethnicity—it’s a civil rights issue. No one’s child should die over a routine traffic stop, especially when they’re unarmed. The situation should have been handled differently.”
Susan Haines, a Grand Rapids resident who participated in the march, carried a sign bearing Patrick Lyoya’s image with the words “Justice for Patrick” emblazoned across it. “This is just a reminder that Patrick Lyoya was a human being,” Haines said. “He didn’t deserve to die that way.”
For many in the crowd, the march was not just an act of remembrance, but a call for continued action. Despite the passage of time, the pain and frustration surrounding Lyoya’s death have not dissipated.
Mitchell Dzurisin, a co-organizer from the Grand Rapids Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, explained the purpose of the demonstration: “We’re here to keep this case in people’s minds and make sure the trial gets the attention it deserves.”
Kent County Commissioner Robert Womack, who has been advocating alongside the Lyoya family since the tragedy, acknowledged the enduring pain felt by the family and the community. “The hurt is still here, just like it was the first day,” Womack said. “But no matter what happens in the trial, we’re asking for peace. We don’t want people tearing each other apart over this.”
As the trial against Schurr began on Monday morning, the tension was palpable. While some demonstrators showed their support for Schurr, many others continued to rally for justice for Lyoya, underscoring the deep divide that remains in the city.
