New charges are in addition to two filed against GRPD in July

The Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR) has brought two new formal charges of discrimination against the Grand Rapids Police Department (GRPD) in response to two separate complaints filed with the department.

In complaints filed by Juanita Ligon on behalf of her two minor children, an impartial investigation conducted by MDCR found that the GRPD discriminated against the claimants by treating them unequally based on race.

“As we said in July when we filed the first two complaints of discrimination against the GRPD, we will continue to thoroughly and impartially investigate every complaint of discrimination filed with us by the residents of this community – complaints that in this case show that the police force charged with protecting these families instead discriminated against them,” said Executive Director John E. Johnson, Jr.

Complaints 490990 and 490991 allege unequal treatment because of race by the GRPD on August 26, 2018.  Police were dispatched following a 911 call about two kids walking near train tracks with what appeared to be a toy gun. Approximately three minutes later, an officer stopped two minor children, identified in the filing as MC-1, MC-2, and a third minor who were walking together about a half mile away from the location indicated in the 911 call. The officer’s in-car video demonstrates that all three boys complied with orders given by the police.

MC-1 and MC-2 identified themselves as being 11 years old and provided contact information for a parent. Despite their compliance, the boys were held at gunpoint by multiple officers, including one using a high-powered rifle. They were searched, handcuffed and questioned for approximately 20 minutes before ultimately being released into the custody of a grandparent who was called to the scene by concerned people in the neighborhood.

GRPD was unable to show evidence of White children who were similarly held at gunpoint, handcuffed, searched, placed in a squad car and questioned in response to a 911 call and no allegation of a crime. The GRPD provided no evidence that they treat individuals of another race the same in similar circumstances.

The formal charge documents are linked below:

Ligon v GRPD Charge RE MC-1
Ligon v GRPD Charge RE MC-2

Watch the press conference on our Youtube channel.

By Dr. Jerome Reide, MDCR Legislative Liaison

Each month, Dr. Jerome Reide, Legislative Liaison for the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, will bring you updates and analysis of what's happening in the Michigan legislature -- news of legislation, executive orders and ballot initiatives that relate directly to the MDCR mission and impact the people we serve.

HB 5777 Passes

On Wednesday, December 7, 2022, HB 5777 passed. The bill requires the State of Michigan to develop resources to allow parents or legal guardians of young children who are deaf or hard of hearing to monitor and track their child's language acquisition and developmental progress toward English literacy. The legislation is part of the Language Equality and Acquisition for Deaf Kids (known as LEAD-K). The bill passed a full House vote on April 13, 2022, and was ordered enrolled on December 7, 2022.

Earlier this year on March 22nd, MDCR’s Annie Urasky, Director of the Division on Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing and Legislative Liaison Dr. Jerome Reide were present during the House Committee on Families, Children and Seniors vote. Both testified at two previous hearings in support of HB 5777.

Watch testimony from Annie Urasky and Dr. Jerome Reide (Begins at 16:00)

Michigan Civil Rights Commission Passes Resolution in Support of Voting Rights - May 2022

At their Monday, May 23rd meeting in Lansing, the Michigan Civil Rights Commission passed a resolution in support of voting rights which includes policies and actions the Michigan Department of Civil Rights will undertake to promote the right to vote and help ensure equitable access to the polls.

Read the press release and resolution.

MDCR Files Charges in Two Discrimination Complaints Against the Grand Rapids Police Department - July 2022

In complaints filed by Whitney Hodges on behalf of her minor daughter, Honestie Hodges, and by Melissa Mason, MDCR's investigation found that the GRPD discriminated against the claimants by treating them unequally based on race.

Read the press release and charges.

MCRC & MDCR Respond to Court Decision in Rouch World LLC v Michigan Department of Civil Rights - July 2022

Portia Roberson, Chair of the Michigan Civil Rights Commission and John E. Johnson, Jr., Executive Director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, issued statements in response to the July 29th Michigan Supreme Court decision in Rouch World LLC et al v Michigan Department of Civil Rights et al.

Read the full statements.