GRAND RAPIDS/DETROIT, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Protesters gathered in several Michigan cities and across the U.S. on Saturday over police brutality and the death George Floyd, who died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck.
Those gathering in Kalamazoo marched twice in protest and ended with a candlelight vigil. There were some high tensions between protesters and officers, but for the most part the crowd remained peaceful.
In Grand Rapids, marchers began peacefully at Rosa Parks Circle around 6 p.m. Saturday, but things escalated around 9 p.m. as buildings were vandalized and vehicles were burned.
Windows of several businesses, the Grand Rapids Art Museum, the Secretary of State’s Office, and many others were smashed with whatever people could find to use. Looting began at businesses up and down Monroe Center in downtown Grand Rapids.
Fires started in trash cans and dumpsters and a couple vehicles, including at least two police cruisers, burned.
GRPD officers attempted to disperse the crowd with tear gas, and several arrests were made, with more planned once video footage is looked at.
In Detroit, violence erupted after a peaceful start to a protest, with marchers throwing objects at police officers.
Members of the Grand Rapids community spent all day Sunday cleaning up debris, washing away graffiti, and helping in any way they could. Businesses had to be boarded up from the destruction.
A curfew was put in place for the city of Grand Rapids from 7 p.m. May 31st until 5 a.m. June 1st. Several arrests were made just 30 minutes into the mandatory curfew.
GRPD has now set up an evidence submission portal where witnesses can share any photos or videos they saw of crime during the downtown protests. About 3,000 to 4,500 people took part in the march and about 100 businesses were damaged.
