KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Protests are becoming more common throughout Kalamazoo, and it may continue being a regular occurrence.
Three peaceful protests took place Friday, Saturday and Sunday in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
On Friday, students from Kalamazoo Central High School organized a march through the downtown area and encouraged the young people of the community to join together and make their voices heard. The demonstration came more than a week after the death of George Floyd was captured on video, sparking protests around the United States and in countries throughout the world.
The LGBTQ+ community is also stepping up to show their support.
The organization OutFront Kalamazoo put their Pride Month events on hold to stand in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement by holding a “Black Lives Matter: PRIDE rally” and march in Kalamazoo on Saturday.
The Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioner’s Vice Chair Tracy Hall, Commissioner Stephanie Moore, and County Sheriff Richard Fuller were all in attendance, among other local officials.
And the weekend protests didn’t end there.
Sunday afternoon another protest march and vigil began in Bronson Park and continued through downtown Kalamazoo.
Kalamazoo Mayor David Anderson participated in that march.
During the protest, demonstrators also knelt down for nearly nine minutes, which was the approximately the amount of time an officer had his knee on Floyd’s neck before he died.
