In the wake of a mistrial in the case against former Grand Rapids Police Officer Christopher Schurr, the community’s ongoing call for justice for Patrick Lyoya remains as urgent as ever. Among the voices leading that call is Allie Bates, known locally and online as “Allie the Activist,” a community organizer who has been on the front lines of protests and public meetings since Lyoya was killed by Schurr in 2022.
Bates has been deeply involved in Grand Rapids activism since 2020, following the murder of George Floyd. Her work has focused not only on protesting but also on pushing for policy changes at the city level. She was one of many who took to the streets and to city hall long before Lyoya’s death, warning city officials about the dangers of unchecked police power.
For her and many others, the mistrial is yet another painful chapter in a story that feels all too familiar. While she acknowledges that a mistrial is preferable to an acquittal, she expressed concern over how long the case has dragged on and fears it could be years before it sees the inside of a courtroom again.
Bates believes the case should be moved out of Kent County altogether, citing concerns over the ability to find an impartial jury after three years of local media coverage and delays. She suggests Michigan’s Attorney General should take over prosecution to ensure a fairer trial process.
Beyond the courtroom, Bates continues to call for deeper changes in Grand Rapids. She advocates for a reduction in police funding and greater investment in community resources, pointing out how systemic issues like poverty and violence are often treated as police problems rather than community failures. She also wants to see more authority granted to civilian oversight boards and greater accountability within the Internal Affairs process—mechanisms she feels are currently toothless.
Despite pushback and arrests, Bates remains committed to protest as a tool for change. She believes consistent community pressure—both in the streets and at public meetings—was a key reason the case even made it to trial. She also highlights the irony that activists have served more jail time in pursuit of justice for Lyoya than the officer who killed him.
City officials, she says, have responded more by trying to manage public anger than addressing its root causes. As the community processes yet another delay in the justice system, Bates urges residents not just to show up for protests, but to stay engaged in local politics and demand meaningful structural change.
Her work continues through her platform and through a growing coalition called Black Rally World, which she describes as still forming but focused on lasting community impact.
For Bates and many others, the movement is far from over. “This could’ve happened to anyone,” she said. “That’s what keeps me out there.”
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