A city in Michigan wants to amend an ordinance that would make it illegal to call 911 on people of color for “participating in their lives.” The city of Grand Rapids, Michigan has proposed changes to a human rights ordinance that would include a “bias crime reporting prohibition.” The proposed change would criminalize calling the police on people of color who are not doing anything illegal, MLive.com reported-->
I’m happy to see this article – and I have questions:
1. How can we establish the need for such an ordinance in other communities? I live in predominantly White Connecticut, and I think this ordinance is a great idea, but I know there will be a call for “statistics” to prove the need for such an ordinance. How did the proposers of this ordinance handle that?
2. Any idea when this ordinance will be voted on / adopted / go into effect? Having an already-passed ordinance would help make the case for adoption in other cities.
I would try to email the City Manager of the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Also, you could try to contact the MLive.com reporters who contributed the following info;
“The City of has proposed changes to a human rights ordinance that would include a “bias crime reporting prohibition.” The proposed change would criminalize calling the police on people of color who are not doing anything illegal, MLive.com reported.”