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Recent Posts
- New Interview for the GRPS Uncovered podcast
- New GRPS Uncovered podcast for 7/7/2025
- Radical Grand Rapids: Places, Dates, Actions and People
- New book by long time community activist Paul Mayhue: Another Brother in The Struggle
- New Grand Rapids podcast sheds light on the history of the Grand Rapids Public Schools
Author Archives: Jeff Smith (GRIID)
Citizens are critical of the City Recommendations for a Police Civilian Review Board in 1996
Editor’s Note: In the midst of ongoing Police and Community relations today, it is important to note that there have been numerous reports and recommendations on police abuse and community relations. The report referred to in this article from 1996 … Continue reading
Grand Rapids People’s History Project gets award for contributing to local history
I am grateful to the Kutsche Office of Local History for this award. I also would like to thank friends and family who continue to support the efforts and energy I put towards the Grand Rapids People’s History Project. However, … Continue reading
When the Public Museum became the Van Andel Museum
his article is reprinted from a January/February 1995 issue of the independent Grand Rapids newspaper, The FUNdamentalist. It is based on a flyer that was handed out during the opening of the Van Andel Public Museum on November 19, 1994. … Continue reading
Posted in Anti-Capitalism/Labor, Indy Media
Tagged Amway fraud, Jay Van Andel, Van Andel Museum
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Grand Rapids participates in the 1995 Million Man March
The first Million Man March took place in October of 1995. Several people from Grand Rapids attended that march. This interview, reposted from the Indy newspaper The FUNdamentalist, was conducted with one of the Grand Rapids organizers, Kashaka Kikelomo. Jeff … Continue reading
How the 1936-37 Wildcat Strike in Flint impacted Labor organizing in Grand Rapids
It is not said often enough, that when people engage in direct action, it not only can get immediate results, it can inspire others to take similar action. When people become aware of the courageous acts of others, it often … Continue reading
Roughly 4,000 people were displaced from highway construction through Grand Rapids: An interview with Fr. Dennis Morrow
This interview is re-posted from the Sept/Oct. 1996 issue of the FUNdamentalist, an independent newspaper that existed in Grand Rapids in the 1990s. This interview was with Fr. Dennis Morrow, a Catholic priest who has done slide shows for the … Continue reading
An Apologist for Christian Capitalism: Charles Sligh Jr.
In recent decades it has become common knowledge that Grand Rapids is home to businesses and organizations that promote the idea that capitalism and christianity are good bedfellows. The poster-child for such a belief would have to be the founders … Continue reading
Grand Rapids Freedom Rider Walter Bergman
If one is serious about fighting institutionalized racism and white supremacy, then one must be prepared to take risks. This is exactly what Walter Bergman, a retired teacher had done in May of 1961, when he decided to be part … Continue reading
White Lies Matter: MLive, Holland and the celebration of Settler Colonialism
On Tuesday, February 9, MLive ran an article entitled, Dutch settlers founded Holland on this day in 1847. The article then says: It was Feb. 9, 1847 when a small group of settlers led by Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte … Continue reading
What lack of faith in the government can lead to: Some personal reflections on the Kent County Militia (1995)
This article is re-printed from The FUNdamentalist, November 1995. The writer of this article attended weekly meetings of the Kent County Militia just months after the Oklahoma City bombing. Before I share my thoughts on who the local militia is, I … Continue reading
Grand Rapids People's History Project 