GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Kent County is allowing employees at its offices in downtown Grand Rapids to leave early today before the planned start of a Black Lives Matter protest.
County staff can leave at 2 p.m. today, so any employees who park in lots near the protest can get their cars without incident, according to Lori Latham, public relations director, Kent County.
The protest at Van Andel Arena is scheduled to start at 3 p.m.
The county office buildings downtown include the Kent County Administration building, at 300 Monroe Ave. NW, Kent County Courthouse, at 180 Ottawa Ave. NW, and Kent Count Prosecutor's Office, at 82 Ionia Ave. NW.
This afternoon's planned protest comes after a massive Black Lives Matter protest in downtown Grand Rapids turned into a riot this weekend.
An estimated 3,000 to 4,500 people attended the protest, according to Grand Rapids City Manager Mark Washington.
