Protecting those with economic power: On why the GR Chamber invited Chief Winstrom to share leadership lessons

On Tuesday, November 19th, from 7:30 – 9am, the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce is hosting a breakfast with GRPD Chief Eric Winstrom for a what they are calling a “Leadership Lesson.” 

This event, where Winstrom will share his perspective on leadership, is completely understandable, especially when you consider the interests of the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and its members.

The Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, as I have been documenting over the years, is primarily concerned with business interests and the promotion and perpetuation of the economic system of Capitalism. The GR Chamber of Commerce can say that they want to make sure that everyone thrives who lives in this city (their words), but such sentiment is dishonest and deceptive. 

For me, I am much more interested in the actions of any organization, and the actions of the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce certainly tells a story. Look at the role that the Grand Rapids Chamber played in pushing and promoting the criminalization of the unhoused in Grand Rapids, starting with their own proposal in December of 2022, through the Chamber influenced policy that was adopted by the City of Grand Rapids in July of 2023. 

In addition, the GR Chamber of Commerce has a long history of funding Republican candidates, which adopt policies that hurt the working class and BIPOC communities. Then there is the fact that the GR Chamber of Commerce has been pumping money into local, non-partisan campaigns in Grand Rapids. This was the case in 2022, when they backed now City Commission Andrew Robbins, plus the backing of local candidates in the 2024 election. It is also important to mention that the GR Chamber of Commerce contributed $50,000 to the hotel tax increase ballot initiative that was adopted in August, a campaign that will direct hotel/motel taxes to fund the amphitheater, soccer stadium and any other projects that will primarily benefit those who own downtown Grand Rapids.

When it comes to GRPD Chief Eric Winstrom, the GR Chamber’s choice to have him speak is crystal clear. As the head of the GRPD, Winstrom’s objective – like all police departments – is to primarily protect those with political and economic power, which most often means making sure that the upward flow of capital to those who own this city will not be disrupted or challenged. 

The Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce has the full support of Chief Winstrom to make sure that the unhoused do not make the business & professional people who live downtown uncomfortable, nor the tourists who come to Grand Rapids to spend their money. 

Chief Winstrom has been happy to do just that, along with making sure that activists don’t disrupt the upward flow of money to the Capitalist Class in Grand Rapids, which is exactly why he has been targeting various actions in recent years. Winstrom has also lied to reporters about such incidents, as I have also documented. 

Lastly, it is important to note that Chief Winstrom has on numerous occasions made dismissive comments about those who have been involved in protesting and challenging systems of power and oppression in Grand Rapids. His dismissive comments against people who protest are merely an attempt to present them as people who like to complain or those who don’t do anything positive for the community. Nothing could be further from the truth, as I noted in an article from last year.

So what are the lessons we can learn from the GR Chamber of Commerce’s decision to host Chief Winstrom? The lessons are, 1) those with economic and political power always need the police to protect their interests, and 2) the police will always try to put a stop to anyone who wants to disrupt business as usual and the upward flow of money to those who own Grand Rapids.