On May 30, 2020 the city of Kalamazoo, Michigan joined countless cities around the United States and erupted in protest in response to the death of George Floyd.
Protesters take to the streets of Kalamazoo, Michigan on Saturday, May 30, 2020. People gathered to speak out about police brutality and demand justice in the recent death of George Floyd who was killed by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin on May 25, 2020. (Kendall Warner | MLive.com)
Although demonstrations were peaceful, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety descended into downtown in riot gear to assist in "crowd control". After about 30 minutes of their presence, they retreated.
Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Officers attempt to diffuse the protests in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Saturday, May 30, 2020. People gathered to speak out about police brutality and demand justice in the recent death of George Floyd who was killed by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin on May 25, 2020. (Kendall Warner | MLive.com)
Demonstrations continued into the evening of Saturday, May 30, 2020.
Protests continue on June 20.
Local artists and community activists came together to paint a Black Lives Matter mural on Rose Street in downtown Kalamazoo on June 19. The first letter of each word holds a portrait of a Black historical figure painted by artist Gerald King. The "B" is Angela Davis, the "L" is Jean Baptiste Point du Sable and the "M" is Bob Marley. The second letter of each word contains the names of those who have died as a result of police violence, and the rest of the letters were completed by local artists with their variations of the black power fist.
Read the stories here:
Protesters take to downtown Kalamazoo streets in response to George Floyd’s death
Throngs crowd downtown Kalamazoo from day’s second protest
Chief explains use of ‘crowd management team’ at Kalamazoo protests
‘My heart was wrenched with pain,’ assistant chief says of ordering tear gas on protesters
Protesters cause chaos overnight in downtown Kalamazoo
Silent protesters hold demonstration in Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo imposes curfew at 7 p.m. today in response to vandalism, protests
Several hundred march in student-led protest against police brutality in Kalamazoo
Police deploy tear gas on protesters in downtown Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo city leaders met with protesters, who demanded answers about public safety’s use of force
‘Outside agitators’ forced officers to deploy tear gas, pepper spray in Kalamazoo, police say