Grand Rapids Area Tenant Union confronts landlord that assaulted tenant and is now threatening to evict the tenant

Several members and supporters of the Grand Rapids Area Tenant Union (GRATU) showed up at the home Darcy Carter last night. This landlord had recently assaulted one of their tenants, which then lead to the tenant  contacting GRATU.

This same landlord came to the last tenant union meeting, demanding that the group remove information about the assault, claiming it was false. One member of the tenant union escorted the landlord out of the meeting, since the group does not allow landlords, property managers or cops in their meetings. The tenant who was assaulted came to the tenant meeting and asked GRATU for support. GRATU has been doing an online pressure campaign for the past week, but the tenant also decided they wanted to do the protest at the landlord’s home.

At the protest people placed makeshift yard signs in the ground, held signs, and wrote messages to the landlord on the sidewalk with sidewalk chalk. The landlord didn’t appear to be at home, but was later spotted coming home in their car. The landlord then backed up and went around the block and parked in a spot where they could see the protest.

The tenant union also made up a flyer to distribute to the landlord’s neighbors. There were some people who were also walking in the neighborhood and stopped by to inquire as to what the protest as all about.

However, there were some neighbors who did not appreciate the protest. One man who lived right next to the landlord’s home came out with a garden hose and decided to hose some of the sidewalk chalk messages of the part of the sidewalk that was on the border of his property. Another neighborhood resident made accusations against those who were protesting in an attempt to get in an argument and potentially escalate things. That neighbor eventually walked away saying that he “didn’t care why people were protesting.”

The tenant who was assaulted also received an eviction notice from the landlord, which means that there will be a court hearing to determine whether or not the landlord has legal grounds to evict the tenant. GRIID was able to do a short interview with the tenant here below. If you are a tenant or know someone who is a tenant who has issues with their landlord or just want to be involved in the Grand Rapids Area Tenant Union you can contact them through their Facebook page or by Email gratunion@gmail.com.