KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Tension continues between protesters and police in the city of Kalamazoo.
A press briefing with community leaders was set to take place outside the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety’s headquarters on Crosstown Parkway around 11 a.m. Tuesday, but moments before it was supposed to start, officials announced that they would move it indoors, and only media would be allowed.
Protesters were not happy. Some began banging on the doors and chanting, “we want to talk.”
“What we feel in the community, disparities, especially in the black and brown community are felt every day. We’re feeling unheard,” said 95.5FM the Touch DJ and Kalamazoo native Majyck D, “…you can’t just assert brute force on people and expect them to not naturally want to react to that.”
While the crowd waited Kalamazoo’s Vice Mayor Patrese Griffin and Commissioner Eric Cunningham came out to address the frustrations felt by protesters. “You wanna know that no knees are going to be on necks in Kalamazoo,” Griffin said referring to the death of George Floyd, “I’m clear on that. I know we have work we need to do.”
Officials eventually agreed to have the press briefing outside.
Commissioner Eric Cunningham also spoke from the heart, saying that these problems disproportionately affecting people of color are being taken seriously, but more work still needs to be done.
“There were unacceptable behaviors in our community, but let me be clear, there are unacceptable behaviors in our city administration from the top to the bottom,” Cunningham stated.
He also praised the activism of those getting involved and encouraged those interested in improving criminal justice, education, and housing to make their voices heard.
Protesters outside the department’s headquarters were demanding answers regarding the police’s response to Monday’s night of destruction in the downtown Kalamazoo area.
Several spoke out about their experience, saying that the account given by authorities didn’t reflect what they saw.
Kalamazoo native Willie Riddle Jr. was active in the Monday night protest. He says that the police response was unwarranted, with many of those protesters not acting violently and not coming from out of town like it was claimed.
“All those people who were laying on the ground, they were not from out of town, I know some of the people personally,” said Riddle, “They live in Kalamazoo. And you unloaded mace on them like they were nothing.”
Public Safety Assistant Chief Captain Vernon Coakley Jr. says that despite additional officers being called from other departments, the protesters outnumbered police that night, “50 to 1.”
Public Safety Chief Karianne Thomas explained why the tear gas was deployed. “It wasn’t because of peaceful acts, it was to help maintain the safety of this city.” She said police were hit with bottles and rocks and the downtown area was completely gridlocked as cars continued to jam onto Michigan Avenue.
Chief Thomas also announced a citywide curfew in response to the violent disturbances, looting, and vandalism in downtown Kalamazoo late Monday night. The order is officially in effect for seven days, but it may be lengthened or shortened if the situation changes. From 7 p.m. until 5 a.m. all people will be required to stay home in order to comply.
Kalamazoo Mayor Anderson called for unity despite differences as the city goes through its greatest challenge in decades. Commissioner Cunningham and other officials walked out into the crowd after the press briefing to listen to more of the public’s concerns.
The full press briefing can be watched here.
