SE Grand Rapids News

Rep. Thomas Albert (R-Lowell) praised all law enforcement and first responders for their work during the George Floyd protests in Grand Rapids.

“In the chaos and fog of battle, these amazing professionals did not blink or stumble,” Albert said May 31 on the Michigan House Republicans website.

Floyd, a black man, perished on Memorial Day while in Minneapolis police custody for alleged forgery. A white officer pressed his knee against Floyd’s neck for close to nine minutes, causing his death.

Floyd’s death sparked protests nationwide, including those in Grand Rapids. WoodTV reported that the demonstrations during the day were peaceful; however, the situation would change for the worse in the evening when protesters defied curfew and police.

Officers used material that they called “Safe Smoke” in an attempt to thin the crowds. Individuals who did not disperse -- a total of 12 -- were arrested for violating curfew.

Albert described Grand Rapids as a war zone, issuing a plea for calm.

“The death of George Floyd was a horrific tragedy and justice must be served,” he said, according to Michigan House Republicans. “While I understand and respect anyone who wants to demonstrate peacefully to bring attention to this injustice, it is discouraging that what was clearly intended to be a peaceful protest quickly devolved into a riot instigated by extremists with an anarchist ideology.”

The lawmaker expressed faith that the nation will overcome these events and move on.

“This is America and we will rebuild, we will come back stronger and we overcome this adversity,” Albert told Michigan House Republicans. “God bless and thank you to those who put their lives on the line to protect others and restore peace.”

WoodTV reported that Grand Rapids Chief of Police Eric Payne spoke with protesters. He urged them to work towards peace and vowed to hold officers accountable but stopped short of joining the protests.