Category Archives: Uncategorized

A People’s History of Grand Rapids book is now available

After years of research, interviews and archival materials, A People’s History of Grand Rapids is finally available. Since Howard Zinn wrote A People’s History of the United States, there have been numerous books that have used his model to address … Continue reading

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Revolutionary Anarchist Youth zine highlights benefit show in Grand Rapids for political prisoner Geronimo Pratt in 1996

The following post is the second in a series using archival documents from Cole Dorsey, a longtime activist/organizer in Grand Rapids and the Bay Area in California. Below is a page from one of the many zines created by the … Continue reading

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Anti-sweatshop Action in Grand Rapids – 1996

As part of the growing anti-globalization/anti-free trade movement that was growing in the US, especially after the passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement, organizers with the Institute for Global Education held an action at the Woodland Mall to … Continue reading

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The Environmental Movement in Grand Rapids: The Grand Rapids Watershed (1993)

This is our first piece on the environmental movement in Grand Rapids. In future articles we will look at what has contributed to ecological destruction since the founding of Grand Rapids, what environmental organizations have existed and what role the … Continue reading

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Revisiting the 1967 Race Riot in Grand Rapids

“It is not enough for me to stand before you tonight and condemn riots. It would be morally irresponsible for me to do that without, at the same time, condemning the contingent, intolerable conditions that exist in our society. These … Continue reading

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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

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Why it is important that we learn from our history of resistance and liberation

During the interview process for the People’s History of the LGBTQ Community in Grand Rapids, we asked participants what the value is of being aware of and learning from the rich history of resistance and liberation, no matter what struggle … Continue reading

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Grand Rapids People’s History Project Kickoff Event – September 5

Join us for a public event to kick off the newest chapter of the Grand Rapids People’s History Project. Grand Rapids has such a rich history of resistance, whether it is small acts of resistance or social movements for collective … Continue reading

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