Grand Rapids City Commission votes 5 – 2 in favor of ordinances that will further punish and criminalize the unhoused in this city

Last night I sat through another Grand Rapids City Commission meeting, specifically because they would be voting on two proposed ordinances that would further criminalize the unhoused. You can relive the drama by watching the meeting at this link.

I don’t have much more to say on all of this, as I am tired, angry and completely disillusioned with the so-called democratic process. What follows will not be the usual analysis we try to provide here at GRIID, rather just a few observations on last nights Grand Rapids City Commission spectacle.

• There were four white dudes who spoke in favor of the ordinances, 2 were people who did not live in Grand Rapids, who were likely Chamber of Commerce members. One of the two non-GR residents said that his female co-workers are constantly receiving cat calls from men who are on the street. I wonder if he was referring to all of the businessmen who frequent plethora of bars in downtown GR, those who objectify women and engage in various forms of assault on those with less privilege?
• Josh Lunger, the chamber’s vice president of government affairs, who presented the initial proposal last December to punish the unhoused, also spoke. Lunger praised City Commissioners and gave them a patronizing pat on the head, especially since the Commissioners had to endure people “yelling at them.”

• And lastly, Chase Bolger, a former GOP State Legislator, who started his own consulting firm, Tusker Strategies LLC. Bolger rambled on about the “workshop” that was held during the 10am Committee of the Whole meeting. I can just see it now, where Chase Bolger was palm pressing with GR City officials and making sure they were committed to adopting these ordinances at the meeting where all the decision are made, before participating in the public commission meeting in the evening, which is increasingly just a formality in the pseudo-democratic process.
• There was a 7 – 1 ratio of people who opposed the ordinances that spoke last night, but since they were all people who didn’t make substantial contributions to elected officials and weren’t members of the Chamber of Commerce, their voices just don’t fucking matter.
• Black women were constantly being chastised, threatened and  silenced throughout last night’s meeting.
• The only 2 Commissioners that voted against adopting the ordinances, were both Black women.
• 4 of the 5 commissioners that did vote to adopt the two ordinances that will punish and criminalize the unhoused, have all receive campaign contributions from the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce. Commissioner O’Connor $750, Commissioner Ysasi $1250, Mayor Bliss $1350, and Commissioner Robbins $10,500.

• Right after the vote to adopt the criminalizing ordinances, I got up to leave. Sitting two rows behind me was Rockford Construction’s CEO Mike VanGessel. VanGessel was sitting with another white guy and I just simply said, “well boys, you got what you wanted and what you paid for.” VanGessel is part of the Chamber of Commerce and is the chair of the municipal council, which represents 130 businesses downtown. VanGessel didn’t bother to speak during public comment, as he would prefer to let his money speak for him.

Commissioner Moody, who voted to adopt the ordinances that will punish the unhoused, said that he expects there to be some backlash over this vote. In fact, there will be consequences. If you are interested in applying some pressure against the 5 commissioners that voted to adopt these ordinances, contact the Grand Rapids Area Tenant Union, either on their Facebook page or via their Email. gratunion@gmail.com.