Spring Lake Village resident Donna Smith is confused by a flier that's been circulated recently throughout Spring Lake and Grand Haven. The flier broadcasts an upcoming "White Voices of America Family Picnic and Political Discussion," although no date, time or location is mentioned.
"It's very disturbing," said Smith, whose brother found a copy of the promotion taped to a tree in Spring Lake's Central Park. "It's basically saying White Voices of America want to have a meeting to figure out what they need to do. My husband is black. In Spring Lake there are probably eight or nine people who are black. It's upsetting.
"I'm surprised more people aren't outraged, but maybe it's just coming out."
The flier states: "This is not a gathering requiring you to shave your head or wear a bed sheet and burn crosses. WVA is a small group of people wishing to unite fellow white kindred to discuss and find ways to help problems facing white America, and in your local community as well ... affirmative action, immigration, our children's schools and economic issues just to name a few."
The promotion promises a family-oriented gathering with free food and activities for children and adults.
"Since we believe we must first solve problems facing our own people, you must be of pre-dominant white ancestry to join or attend any gatherings of WVA."
Spring Lake/Ferrysburg Police Chief Roger DeYoung said the fliers have been posted "all over Grand Haven, Spring Lake and Ferrysburg." Posting such promotions in a public place violates the village's zoning ordinance.
Because of First Amendment rights, DeYoung said there's little his department can do.
"We're not saying they can't have this rally," DeYoung said. "It's freedom of speech and First Amendment rights. But they can't post the fliers on public property. That's the only enforcement we're taking at this time. If it's a civil picnic-type deal, hopefully that's all it is. I really don't want this in our area, but you really can't stop it either as long as it's going to be a pleasant 'no problems' thing. The other side usually joins in, too, then you've got the problems."
DeYoung has been unable to ascertain a date and time for the proposed rally, but he said it's planned for a Nunica location, which is out of his jurisdiction.
"Nothing has checked out yet for date and time," DeYoung said. "When we find that out we'll keep tabs on it."
Tribune phone calls to White Voices of America reached an answering machine this morning.
Smith said she doesn't want to "dog" the group "but I want to understand why they feel this way. We don't need a cross burning in our front yard. We have kids in the Spring Lake schools. My husband has done so much for this community. He's been an assistant coach for Tri-Cities football for four years and he's a youth leader for Spring Lake Wesleyan Church. These kids don't know color. It's the parents."
Smith said from what she's learned, White Voices of America aim to "have their own group" because they feel black people have their own group.
"It's very disturbing," Smith said. "I was really blown away when my brother brought this flier over a couple of days ago. What we're working toward, especially being an interracial couple, we weren't going to go that way. That's going backward. We thought it was time to voice our concerns. It's really an unbelievable thing and it's very disturbing."