GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Grand Rapids could soon have an ordinance that would make it a criminal misdemeanor to racially profile people of color for “participating in their lives.”
The “bias crime reporting prohibition” is one of a handful of adjustments that would be made to the city code as part of the proposed human rights ordinance. Other components include expanded protected class definitions, identifying four primary potential areas of discrimination, and an outline of the referral and compliance process.
Grand Rapids leaders could vote on the proposal next month, but not before city stakeholders have a chance to weigh in during a public hearing at the 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 23 commission meeting in the ninth-floor chambers of City Hall, 300 Monroe Ave. NW.
“We in the community have had various conversations over the last few years about disparities that exist in Grand Rapids,” said Jeremy DeRoo, executive director of the non-profit advocacy group LINC Up.
