A Statement from the Concerned Clergy of Grand Rapids on the Killing of Patrick Lyoya and the Ongoing Miscarriage of Justice in Our City

As clergy representing diverse faith communities in Grand Rapids, we stand united in our commitment to truth, justice, and human dignity. The killing of Patrick Lyoya placed our city at a painful crossroads – a moment that demands moral clarity, communal resolve and transformative action. 

Patrick Lyoya was a son, a brother, a neighbor—and a child of God. His life was taken by an act of violence at the hands of law enforcement, and the pain of his death reverberates still, especially among our Black and immigrant communities. We acknowledge that the deeper crisis is not solely about one case—but about a system that continues to fail the very people it claims to protect.

We name what many have long known but too few have had the courage to confront: the abuse, neglect, and denial of just, equitable, and community-centered policing in our city has been historic and persistent. These realities have been ignored or minimized for far too long.

We call for accountability. Justice must not be selective, delayed, or denied. Any system that permits the killing of an unarmed man without consequence erodes public trust and dishonors our shared humanity.

Our role as clergy is not to pacify or placate those in our community who are expressing righteous anger at this injustice. We join them in that righteous outcry. Their voices are a prophetic warning that we must heed. Patrick’s death is not just a tragedy—it is a stain on our great city, and we must ask with conviction and resolve: what must be done to ensure this never happens again in Grand Rapids?

It is important that, as representatives of the faith community, we stand alongside and support the hurting and concerned citizens—those who are often the voiceless and unheard in our city. We have a sacred responsibility to pray, to speak truth to power, and to take bold action that will foster systemic change—change that will enhance the quality of life and outcomes for all Grand Rapidians.
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We are not only calling for justice in this case—we are demanding structural transformation. This includes:

• Immediate and transparent review of police training and testing practices, especially those related to de-escalation, racial bias, and use of force

• Changes in recruitment and hiring that reflect the racial, cultural, and linguistic diversity of our community

• Thoughtful and community-informed officer placement to foster trust rather than fear

• Greater investment in non-policing solutions to public safety, including mental health responders and violence interrupters

• The establishment of ongoing, accountable partnerships between police leadership and trusted community representatives

As faith leaders, we want to collaborate with the Office of Oversight and Public Accountability to establish a plan of shared action that addresses these systemic issues, supports community healing, and ensures ongoing institutional accountability—regardless of the outcome of this trial.

We call for peace—not a false peace built on silence or suppression, but peace that flows from righteousness, truth, and equity. We urge all people of goodwill to meet this moment with prayerful resolve, prophetic witness, and nonviolent action.
As spiritual leaders, we pledge to walk with our communities through both the pain and the pursuit of justice. We call on city officials, law enforcement, and civic leaders to listen deeply, to act justly, and to commit to lasting change—not just in policy, but in practice and posture.

May we not shrink back from this moment but rise to meet it together—faithfully, courageously, and collectively.

Signed,
Concerned Clergy of Grand Rapids