Grand Rapids Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (GRAARPR) and Community Owns Safety Coalition (COSC) are proud to announce, "A People's Hearing," a series of events intended to engage the Grand Rapids community in critical conversations about the future of safety in our city. We will focus our conversations on two critical safety issues impacting our communities at large: Housing & Policing. These hearings will observe participatory democracy, offering an inclusive stage for community members to voice their concerns, share experiences and collectively craft solutions to challenges.

A People's Hearing | Community Safety - February 8th, 5:30PM-9:00PM @ LINC UP Gallery

This event will delve into the nuanced topic of community safety. Following a shared meal, the evening will feature a panel discussion with family members of individuals who have suffered injustices at the hands of police. The panel intends to amplify community narratives, advocating for justice and exploring community-driven approaches to safety beyond traditional policing. We will pass the mic and hold space for residents to share local experiences, ideate solutions and identify people-centered investments we expect our City representatives to honor in our City Budget.