West Michigan Far Right Watch for the week of September 28 – October 3: GRPD ride-alongs, Capitalists cheer courts decision, and Religious Zealots defending Religious Zealots

Welcome to the next installment of West Michigan Far Right Watch, where we keep tabs on the far right in this area and provide a summary of what they are up to and what kind of messages they are promoting in this community.

We have 3 new examples to share with you this week. 

First up is Voice For the Badge (VFB), which is now proposing (Oct. 1) that all GR City officials should be require to o 4 ride-alongs with the GRPD every year, plus attend simulation shooting classes twice a year. 

VFB leader, Johnny Brann Sr. said, This might wake up city officials to the fact that OUR GRPD go through hell on many of their shifts and the split second decisions they must make. I am willing to bet that most city officials will shoot an innocent citizen or get shot themselves.

Our second example is from the West Michigan Policy Forum, which was recently celebrating on FB the Michigan Supreme Court’s ruling that Gov. Whitmer’s use of the 1945 law was in violation of the state’s constitution. The West Michigan Policy Forum, which is made up of powerful members of the local Capitalist Class, has been lobbying and financing political candidates that will defend business interests, even it is contrary to public health and well being. 

Our last example has to do with the Far Right Think Tank, the Acton Institute. Last week, we posted a story about how the Acton Institute publicly endorsed Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, Amy Coney Barrett. We noted in that article, that Barrett is part of a religious right group known as The People of Praise. 

In a September 30th blog post, the Acton Institute defended People of Praise, in an article entitled, Amy Coney Barrett: handmaid of the Lord, not the state. The Acton Institute once again demonstrated their far right support for organizations and elected officials that impose monotheism in the public sphere, promote patriarchal values, such a making women subservient to men.

In all three of our examples this week, we see how far right groups are attempting to impose public policy that benefits those in power, attacks marginalized communities in West Michigan, and celebrates profits over people.