Preventing police violence and Community Care were the focus of the Grand Rapids Pullover Prevention event

During the four hour time slot at the Pullover Prevent event, hosted by GRPOP, roughly 50 people took advantage of the numerous resources that were being offered.

The event was held in an over flow parking lot owed by the First Community AME Church in southeast Grand Rapids. AME churches have a long history of being part of the Black Freedom Struggle, so it was no surprise that they were happy to have their space used for the event on Saturday.

People who came had the opportunity to have a team of volunteers check their brake lights, turn signal lights and other lights on their vehicle to see if they needed any replaced. The GRPOP volunteers would then replace any burned out lights at no cost, since traffic stops by cops often lead to violence perpetrated by cops against motorists, especially BIPOC people. I was able to interview one of the GRPOP volunteer organizers, which you can view here.

In addition, to the pullover prevention resources that were being offered on Saturday, people who attended could visit with groups such as the GR Pride Center, the Grand Rapids Area Tenant Union, the Med Collective, and A.I.M. – the Autonomous Infrastructure Mission, which provided fresh produced raised in the gardens they have in West Michigan. 

There was also free narcan being offered by the Grand Rapids Red Project, a clothing swap, information about the revised Food Not Bombs chapter, the Grand Rapids Alliance Against Political Repression, the Community Owns Safety Coalition, B Balance Bodywork and the Accountable Communities for Abolition. GRPOP also provided bottled water and other snack foods to those who were tabling and those who came to the event.

As a participant, there were two main observations that I had. First, the level of interest and enthusiasm by people who were visiting the information/resource tables was very evident. I heard people talking about being so happy to see that this kind of work was being done in Grand Rapids, as well as promises to further engage the autonomous groups at future events or to address issues that they were dealing with, such as discrimination, exploitation by landlords, food insecurity or police repression. 

The second overarching observation I had was that the various groups that were represented at the event did a lot of talking amongst themselves, letting each other know about upcoming events or actions. In addition, there was great conversations being had around future collaborations, so as to avoid operating in silos. Such conversations are critical for local movement work, but don’t happen often enough. Based on my own conversations and what I observed, people were relishing the opportunity to talk and just get to know each other in a safe and relax environment. 

The GRPOP event was not only a successful event, it once again demonstrated how community-based organizing can engage in mutual aid, along with practicing the idea that “we take care of each other.”

Thanks to Ashes for some of these pictures.