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Open Carry MARCH - Grand Rapids - 3/2/14

bigt8261

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 16, 2013
Messages
181
Location
Grand Rapids
That's right folks, this isn't your typical gathering, this is a march!

Background:
On Sunday, March 3rd 2013, around 12pm, Johann Deffert was walking home from breakfast with a holstered openly carried pistol. Despite having done nothing wrong, Mr. Deffert was detained at gunpoint by the Grand Rapids Police. Mr. Deffert was forced to lie on the ground while he was handcuffed. During this detention, his firearm and identification were taken from him. Two officers then proceeded to berate Mr. Deffert for lawfully openly carrying his handgun. One officer even threatened to further harass Mr. Deffert by reporting him to the Kent County gun board. Eventually, Mr. Deffert was released after the officers were unable to find something to charge him with.

Event Details
Michigan Open Carry will be holding a demonstration of every day open carriers, the day before the one year anniversary of Mr. Deffert's detainment. Our goal is to demonstrate in force, what the typical open carrier is like, and to show that there is nothing to be concerned about. We will be walking the same route, at the same time, on the same day of the week as Mr. Deffert.

When: Sunday March 2nd @ 11:30am
Where: Start at Fuller Park (250 Fuller Ave NE, Grand Rapids 49503).
Rout:
• Leave Fuller Park at 11:30am and head North on Fuller Ave towards Michigan St.
• Turn East on Michigan St.
• Continue down to the corner of Michigan St. and Lakeside Dr where Mr. Deffert was Detained.
• After spending some time at this destination, we will turn around and head back towards the park.
• Those that wish too will continue West down Michigan St. towards Monroe Center (City Hall).

We will be demonstrating as typical, every day open carriers, as Mr. Deffert was when he was detained.

Therefore, we ask that you carry the same gun that you carry every day. The objective is for people to look at us and realize that we are not so different, and understand that there is no cause for alarm when they see us in the grocery store, gas station, or any other place they may encounter us in our everyday lives.

Lastly, New Beginnings, which is located roughly across Michigan St from Fuller Park has cleared us for breakfast around 10:00am. Their address is 1455 Michigan Street NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. The restaurant does not serve alcohol so a CPL is not need to open carry there. Feel free to bring friends and family. See you then.
 

protias

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 18, 2008
Messages
7,308
Location
SE, WI
That isn't terribly far for me. I wish it were on a Saturday though. You all have an enjoyable time! :banana:
 

Michigander

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 24, 2007
Messages
4,818
Location
Mulligan's Valley
I would be surprised if they did anything. At the event at Riverside Park I think I heard there was one patrol car that went by.

Yep. Any time you've got more than 10 people you're not so likely to be hassled, whereas someone by themselves is basically a juicy target when in a jurisdiction controlled by badged felons. Warren was a pretty good example of this.
 
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FreeInAZ

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2012
Messages
2,508
Location
Secret Bunker
Well brothers and sisters, it didnt take WOOD TV long to get their story up. Seems to be ok, if a bit short. Probably will be better (hopefully) after the 6 and 11 news.

Great pic of Tom on the snowbank with Old Glory nearby. lol

http://woodtv.com/2014/03/02/march-to-support-open-carry-in-gr/

Good job folks. Sadly the comments are all cheerleaders for the king & his men in GR. Wonder if mayor Tartwell... next becomes fearful that clothes could be used by audience members to strangle him....will they support him forcing everyone to attend city gatherings naked....:rolleyes:
 

DeSchaine

Regular Member
Joined
Nov 5, 2013
Messages
537
Location
Kalamazoo, MI
heh heh. Is it wrong of me to use a well educated vocab, spellcheck and logic to try and make ignorant little ants feel even smaller?
 

Raggs

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 18, 2012
Messages
1,181
Location
Wild Wild West Michigan
A few of the folks that were at the march

11t32ti.jpg
 

FreeInAZ

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2012
Messages
2,508
Location
Secret Bunker
A few of the folks that were at the march

11t32ti.jpg

Awesome work guys. Great to see some faces I know also. I have to say - events like that march make me proud to know freedom loving people are standing up to tiny tin pot dictators in MI. :thumbup:
 

FreeInAZ

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2012
Messages
2,508
Location
Secret Bunker
I watched the video from TV 8. It made me ask these questions: If the city says it's officers did nothing wrong & they did the right things - then why weren't there over 80+ felony prone stops conducted on the marchers? I mean clearly they posed a more of a threat than Mr.Deffert did? I guess the public's safety is only a concern when the media is NOT on hand. :rolleyes:

/sarcasm.
 
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