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March 20, 2009 -- Grand Rapids Press (MI)

Three Separate Student Protests Planned For College Campuses Friday After GVSU Student Derek Copp Was Shot By Police

By Nardy Baeza Bickel

Return to Drug War News: Don't Miss Archive

GRAND RAPIDS -- Grand Valley State University senior Blake Walton believes student-led protests of last week's shooting of student Derek Copp by police have not been taken seriously enough by the community.

So on Friday, Walton, 27, an Army veteran and history major, will be wearing a suit while protesting the tough drug policies he believes led to Copp's shooting. He expected to take part in one of three protests across Michigan -- two days after Copp left the hospital to recover at his Spring Arbor home near Jackson.

"I want people to take us seriously. This could have happened to any college student," Walton said.

"There's so many lives shattered because of the war on drugs ... when you put people with guns on the spot, things can and will go wrong."

About 300 people had confirmed Thursday on Facebook their attendance at Friday's 1 p.m. march in Grand Rapids, with another 700 stating they could possibly attend.

Another 80 students from the University of Michigan have confirmed they'll attend a march Friday at the Ann Arbor campus.

At Michigan State University, a smaller crowd was expected to meet at 1 p.m. outside Wells Hall.

Copp was released from the hospital on Wednesday.

"He's recovering at home and he's going to continue his recovery there," said his attorney, Frederick Dilley, adding the family wants to give Copp as much privacy as possible to recuperate.

Dilley declined to comment on the protests, but said he doubts Copp plans to participate.

"I don't know. I'm virtually certain he won't. He may in the future (but) right now, he's trying to rest up and get healthy."

Copp, a 20-year-old GVSU student, was shot in the chest by police last week during the execution of a drug-related search warrant at his off-campus apartment. Copp was not armed, and his father has said the young man was raising his arms to shield his face from authorities' flashlights when he was shot.

Dilley has said "a few tablespoons" of marijuana were found in Copp's apartment. Police have released few details on the shooting, and have not said what they found in the apartment.

Greg Hatt, a friend of Copp, said the media attention on the shooting has been overwhelming to Copp and his family. He last talked to him Tuesday.

"I think (Derek) and his family just want to get away," said Hatt, describing Copp as in good spirits. They talked about music and "normal stuff."

"He would be out (protesting) with us if he could," Hatt said. "He doesn't want to be seen as the victim or hero. He wants it to be about the issue."

Copp remains in pain from the wound, particularly when he coughs, Hatt said.

Today's protests are being organized by members of Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) at the universities.

"People are human beings and we make mistakes," GVSU student Walton said of both Copp and the unidentified Ottawa County sheriff's deputy who shot him.

Agreeing was Micah Daigle, associate director for Washington D.C.-based SSDP.

"The message isn't anti-police. We understand that both Derek's life and the police officer's life have been significantly affected by this incident.

"It is very difficult to wage war on your own people," he said. "We're calling for an end of the war on drugs. That's what we're protesting and what we see as the primary cause of what happened to Derek."


March 20, 2009 -- Grand Rapids Press (MI)

Students At GVSU, Michigan, Michigan State March To Demand Changes To Drug Policies After Shooting

By: John Agar

GRAND RAPIDS -- The recent shooting of a Grand Valley State University student in a drug raid sparked not only campus outrage in a downtown march Friday, but demands for an end to the war on drugs.

"Your body belongs to you, and just you, and as long as you're not hurting anybody, your body is yours to do what you choose," said Sara Jones, 18, who spoke at Rosa Parks Circle.

She said the March 11 shooting of Derek Copp, 20, who was recently released from the hospital, served as a rallying cry for those who favor legalized marijuana. It also raised concerns among some about the cost of waging the war on drugs. She and others students criticized the tactics used by the West Michigan Enforcement Team, as well as other local drug units that serve search warrants.

"What threat was posed?" Jones asked.

Copp, who was unarmed, was shot in the chest in his off-campus apartment while members of WEMET executed a search warrant. Copp's father has said his son was shielding his eyes from the officers' flashlights when he was shot.

While police have not said what was found in Copp's apartment, the student's attorney claimed only "a few tablespoons of marijuana" was discovered.

Copp has not been charged with any crime, and the unidentified Ottawa County sheriff's deputy who fired the shot remains on leave.

Organizers of Friday's event expected at least 300 people to join the afternoon protest, but only about 50 marched from the clock tower at GVSU's Pew Campus to Rosa Parks Circle. Related protests attracted 25 people at the University of Michigan, while only four showed at Michigan State University.

"It was a small turnout, but I still think it was worthwhile because we got the word out about what happened to people who didn't know," said Jon Beagley, organizer of the MSU protest.

At U-M's Central Campus, the crowd, trying to bring attention to Copp's shooting, called for an end to the drug war, legalization of marijuana and release of additional information about the shooting.

"I was so devastated by the horrific shooting," said Francesca Bardinelli, a U-M student from the Scranton, Pa., area. "This could be anyone. The war on drugs affects us all, especially students."

The protest was organized by the U-M members of Students for Sensible Drug Policy. Chris Chiles, a U-M student, said: "Our enemy is not the police, it is the war on drugs."

Meanwhile, GVSU President Thomas Haas, who earlier demanded answers about the shooting, said Michigan State Police, the investigating agency, have "responded quickly and positively to my letter regarding the investigation into Derek Copp's shooting. The Department assured me that it is conducting its investigation in a timely and thorough manner, and that I will be advised when it has been completed."

He said Bart Merkle, the dean of students, met with Copp and his family, and said accommodations -- available to injured or sick students -- would be made to help Copp in his return to school. "There has been demonstrated support from Derek's friends and others in the community who are seeking answers regarding the shooting. These responses underscore the sense of community that is such an important part of Grand Valley State University."

Greg Hatt, a former GVSU student and organizer of the local event, said Copp supported the efforts.

"He's behind us 100 percent. He would be here if he could be."

Press reporter Dave Murray and The Press News Service contributed to this story.

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