KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — It was their first meetings since the national election and both Kalamazoo city commissioners and Kalamazoo Public Schools officials assure their minority, Muslim and immigrant populations that they do not share the attitude of the incoming presidential administration when it comes to their status.
They did not mention Donald Trump by name, but they wanted to reassure residents they are welcome and help is available if they need it.
Commissioner Shannon Sykes said she will fight for them.
“I know and believe you have fighters in all of us, and I want to say that you have a place in our community, no matter who you are,” Sykes said.
Vice Mayor Don Cooney suggested they become a “sanctuary city.”
Across town, Supt. Michael Rice told his board that our kids deserve better than what the election has produced. He says children deserve “leadership that is interested in raising all children up — not some, but all. And that’s the spirit within which we are going to operate.”
Commissioner David Anderson noted that Thanksgiving was first declared by President Abraham Lincoln during a time of even greater division in the country the Civil War and thatthere are parallels we can all draw in seeking what Lincoln called the “better angels among us.”
