KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Kalamazoo City Commissioners are planning to form a subcommittee to come up with a definition of what constitutes a successful protest in Kalamazoo.
The commission had that discussion Tuesday evening after they heard over 100 comments from residents about the city’s response to the Proud Boys rally in downtown Kalamazoo on Saturday.
Their virtual meeting on Monday lasted for over six hours, to the point where the board voted to recess and reconvene again to finish up their agenda the next day.
Officials discussed how they could set goals and make a clear objective on how demonstrations should be monitored and how city staff could be held accountable.
City Manager Jim Ritsema explained that the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety has been getting mixed messages on how they should respond to protests and they want to know what the commission expects.
“It seems like every event the expectation has changed, and so I want to know from the commission what that expectation is for an event,” Ritsema said during the virtual meeting. He added, “If the bar and target keep moving protest to protest, that’s not fair.”
Black Lives Matter protest in downtown Kalamazoo (Photo courtesy of John McNeill)
Commissioner Chris Praedel says they have to find a definition for a successful protest the community agrees with.
“It’s our super tall order but at least let’s start there for maybe a guidepost,” Praedel explained.
Mayor David Anderson proposed the subcommittee to set goals for all city staff.
The subcommittee, which will consist of Commissioners Eric Cunningham and Chris Praedel along with Vice Mayor Patrese Griffin will talk with residents, officers and officials, protest organizers, and the media to try to come up with standards.
Protesters holding signs in downtown Kalamazoo (Photo courtesy of John McNeill)
The committee will work over the next 10 days with city staff, the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, and the community to clearly define those goals.
They have given themselves until August 28th to come up with recommendations and present them to the board. Updates are expected during the next city commission meeting on September 8th.
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