STUDENTS AT GVSU, MICHIGAN, MICHIGAN STATE MARCH TO DEMAND CHANGES TO
DRUG POLICIES AFTER SHOOTING

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.