The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety has been in on-going planning for the advertised Black Lives Matter Event scheduled for Friday July 22, 2016 at Bronson Park from 6pm-8pm.
From the onset we have reached out to open the lines of communication with the organizer in an attempt to clearly understand their intent and to facilitate a peaceful event. We have been able to gather some information through an intermediary which has been somewhat limiting.
We do know there will be some type of “Shutdown” to be conveyed at the event and we have attempted to get clarity on that but to no avail. There was some initial information the “Shutdown” may occur on the Kalamazoo Mall and also may include the blocking of traffic and streets.
There is voluminous social media activity, blog comments to news articles etc. that contribute to the complexity of planning and responding to the event.
While initially labeling the rally a “Peaceful Event” the tenor has changed over the last 48 hours based on updates posted to the event Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/events/1754263754850064/).
KDPS communicates all of this as to advise our Citizens of what we know, what we don’t know, and to provide relative context to this fluid situation. Our officers are prepared to address and react to the circumstances with professionalism and measure and certainly wish for a peaceful conclusion.
Date: July 22nd, 2016
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy, Kalamazoo, Michigan. 49001
Contact: Jeffrey Hadley, Public Safety Chief, (269) 337-8123
