Protesters shut down the Grand Rapids City Commission’s Tuesday night meeting by shouting and chanting, obstructing the Commission’s ability to conduct business.
Approximately two hours into the meeting, members of the public issued demands to the city from the podium, asking that the Commission move to declare Grand Rapids a sanctuary city for illegal immigrants.
Chloe Mulder, a representative of the anti-ICE organization, Grand Rapids Rapid Response to ICE, led the charge from the podium, donning a Movimiento Cosecha T-shirt.
“We have been asking you to adopt the six sanctuary policies since January of 2025,” she stated. “Since that time, ICE has caused tremendous harm and separated hundreds of immigrant families living in Grand Rapids.”
She also noted that Rapid Response has impeded federal law enforcement, telling the Commission that the organization exists to “disrupt the violence that ICE perpetrates.”
“We have heard that by adopting these policies, it would make Grand Rapids a target,” she continued. “We have also heard that there are likely pro-ICE people that haven’t communicated with this Commission. We’ve also heard from the Mayor that he didn’t want to give immigrants a sense of false hope.”
Mulder concluded by condemning the Grand Rapids Police Department for allegedly cooperating with ICE, and exhorted the Commission to adopt her list of demands.
“We are asking you once again to adopt these six sanctuary policies, to practice immigrant solidarity, and to be on the right side of history.”
Following the comment, she appeared to look at the group of activists present, and the meeting unfolded into chaos, with protesters loudly chanting and obstructing the Commission’s ability to conduct business.
“ICE and cops go hand-in-hand!” they shouted repeatedly.
Mayor David LaGrand tried, but failed, to restore order.
“I’m sorry that you’ve decided to disrupt the meeting,” LaGrand told the group. “I advise you to stop.”
His advice was ignored.
The Mayor, in response to the continued disruption, capitulated, adjourning the meeting prematurely, with approval from his colleagues.
“Are you okay with just adjourning the meeting?” LaGrand asked the commissioners, none of whom objected. “I’m going to exercise my discretion and just adjourn the meeting. Thank you everyone for being here.”
Write to jacob@grherald.com.