KALAMAZOO, MI — People took to the streets and marched from the Kalamazoo County Courthouse to the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety headquarters Wednesday to speak out against racial injustice and demand change from police.
The protesters gathered in the rain Wednesday, Sept. 30, for the demonstration, which is part of ongoing protests in Kalamazoo demanding police reform. Those participating in the protest and march held signs with phrases including, “Justice for Breonna Taylor," “Black Lives Matter,” “Demand Change Now,” and “Defund this mess we call KDPS.”
Xavier Prentice-Sao, 16, said he wanted to draw attention to how police mishandled the Aug. 15 event, when Proud Boys came to Kalamazoo and violence broke out on the street between the group and counterprotesters.
“Letting them just leave after everything that happened, letting them get away with it I guess, and not questioning anybody,” he said. He criticized police for arresting Black people at the event.
Related: Kalamazoo commissioners briefed on ‘hands-off’ police approach before violent event
Activists say they are also looking for answers to how and why Kalamazoo’s Black Lives Matter protests were met by police in early June. The department and city leaders have faced criticism for a heavy-handed response during the Black Lives Matter protests, including a decision to deploy tear gas on protesters who were lying on the ground.
Quinton Bryant, 34, and others held up signs to passing traffic in front of the county courthouse before the group began marching down the street toward the public safety headquarters.
They had messages for Vernon Coakley, the incoming public safety chief who will take over the leadership role starting Thursday, Oct. 1. Coakley was promoted to the position after current Chief Karianne Thomas announced earlier this month she would be retiring.
“I want to be clear that we are looking to you to make a change,” Bryant said, speaking to the new chief, who was not present at Wednesday’s protest. “You can look at this as a fresh start.”
He asked Coakley to bring community members to the table.
“Come out and work with the community," Bryant said. “Don’t just say in a statement you support the community.”
Bryant was not the only protester to mention the impending change in leadership at KDPS. One of the signs held up by protesters also spoke directly to the new chief, stating: “Coakley, you could be a hero.”
Karianne Thomas' final day as public safety chief is Sept. 30. Thomas announced her retirement in the wake of criticism and calls for her resignation as a result of police response to protests and demonstrations this summer.
Related: Kalamazoo police chief heard calls to resign, Proud Boys chaos ‘last straw,’ activists say
After rallying outside the county courthouse for about two hours Wednesday, a group of about 40 people walked down the Kalamazoo Mall and South Burdick Street, past the lit-up marquee of the Kalamazoo State Theatre, marching to the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety headquarters on Crosstown Parkway.
“We’re not against police,” said Tony Miller, of Grand Rapids. “We’re against police brutality.”
Cooper Hively, of Kalamazoo, carried a Captain America shield.
“I think people need to be reminded that people are the power," he said. “And everything they’ve been doing, they’ve failed to protect us. They’ve become the weapon.”
Hively said he attended multiple demonstrations held in Kalamazoo since May. He criticized how city police responded to multiple events during that time.
“They’re not here to protect us," Hively said. “They’re here to protect the government from us.”
A few cars, driven by those supporting the marchers, drove slowly alongside the protesters, escorting them as they walked south toward the KDPS headquarters.
“No justice, no peace,” Bryant shouted into a bullhorn, leading the others in the chant.
“No racist police,” the group answered.
Bryant urged citizens to vote in the Nov. 3 election to make their voices heard.
“Don’t be discouraged by the president’s mouth," Bryant said. "Get out and vote. It’s the only power we have right now, to vote. Use our voices to protest and use our right to vote.”
The group continued to chant for police accountability, Black Lives Matter, and other causes while standing outside the KDPS headquarters. Kneeling outside the police building, silence fell on the group as they took a moment in honor of those killed as a result of police brutality.
Read more:
Kalamazoo police chief responds to criticism of handling of Proud Boys rally
Kalamazoo City Commission forms committee to guide police force in response to protests
Critics continue calls for resignations over Kalamazoo’s response to Proud Boys event
Vice mayor, activist husband use life experiences to push for systemic change
Why the Proud Boys visited Kalamazoo
The Link LonkOctober 01, 2020 at 09:46AM
https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/2020/09/kalamazoo-protesters-call-for-fresh-start-from-incoming-chief-during-march-to-police-headquarters.html
Kalamazoo protesters call for 'fresh start’ from incoming chief during march to police headquarters - mlive.com
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