The Killing of Patrick Lyoya by a Grand Rapids Policeman

By MUUSJN on Tuesday, April 19th, 2022

A TIME TO REFLECT — A TIME TO TAKE ACTION

This weekend demonstrators continued to protest the April 4th fatal shooting of Patrick Loyoya by a Grand Rapids police officer. This is another tragic example of police violence toward a Black man. This email also shares reflections of a UU minister from Grand Rapids and includes options for action.

Rev. Colleen Squires, minister of Grand Rapids All Souls Community Church of Western Michigan, told shared her thoughts about this incident on her church’s Facebook page. They are shared here for your information. Members of this congregation have been publicly demonstrating weekly in solidarity with Black Lives Matter activists for seven years.

My heart is with the family of Mr. Patrick Lyoya. This is a tragic loss of life of a young father of two little girls. I grieve for his parents, his friends, his community and our city. Patrick’s life matters.

This afternoon (April 13th) the graphic video was released showing Mr. Lyoya on the ground and being fatally shot in the back of his head. It is extremely difficult and upsetting to see this young man fully alive at the start of the video and just a few minutes later witness his lifeless body still and silent on the ground.

Keep in mind, this was a traffic stop and Mr. Layoya was unarmed. What prompted the officer to run the plates of this particular car is not clear. We as a community must name the over policing of the Black community and to continue to call out the racial bias that occurs in routine traffic stops.

As Unitarian Universalists we are called to demand justice and full accountability. In the days ahead many protests and rallies are planned. Each one is a call for justice, equity and accountability. People are angry and heartbroken. We fully support free speech, and we must also understand that people have a right to be angry and upset. I pray for the safety of all involved.

Many activists in Grand Rapids have been very vocal about warning city officials of this potential tragedy happening in our city. Beyond justice and accountability, we need sweeping policy and procedure changes moving towards valuing every human life. The events depicted in these videos do not warrant the loss of life.

Again, my deepest sympathies to the Lyoya family. May Patrick’s life continue to matter to all of us, may true and needed change occur. May justice and accountability be swift. May we own the white supremacy culture that exists in our city and may we work to eradicate it from our world.

-Rev. Colleen Squires

TWO THINGS YOU CAN DO

Write a short note to Grand Rapids city officials. Click HERE to write a letter that relays justice demands from the Loyoya family. NOTE: One of those demands has been met: release of video with pictures of the incident.

Also, you can donate through a Go Fund Me program to help with funeral expenses for Patrick Lyoya by clicking HERE.

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