Contact: Sgt. Joy Matthews - 616.889.7636
Email: joy.matthews@kentcountymi.gov

Yesterday, Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young participated in a moment of solidarity with a group of peaceful demonstrators in the City of Grand Rapids. Sheriff Michelle wants every member of our community to know that she believes the group of officers responsible for George Floyd’s death acted in a reprehensible and criminal way and must be held accountable for their actions. She wants the family of Mr. Floyd to know that the men and women of the Kent County Sheriff’s Office grieve with them.

Sheriff Michelle also wants those who have stepped forward to peacefully advocate for continued change in the justice system to know that they are being heard. We have been and will continue to be focused on making every member of our community understand that we are here to serve. We believe very strongly in the power of our collective voices and ideas.

As the collective conversation in our communities continue, we will stand by your right to peacefully protest and publicly advocate for necessary change. We will also work very hard to prevent those who wish to steal your voice with senseless violence and destruction from preying on our communities. Please join with us to continue the conversation in a civil and meaningful way. Let us work together to make changes and hold each other accountable for seeing that those changes are being achieved.

Photo credit: Cory Morse | MLive.com