KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Protestors in Kalamazoo are demanding justice for Breonna Taylor and raising awareness about changes they want to see locally at the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety.
The demonstration was planned as part of the group’s regularly scheduled demonstrations regarding police issues, which have been taking place on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The group saw a larger than usual turnout on Wednesday due to the recent announcement of charges for one officer in Louisville, Ky., in the Breonna Taylor case.
People of all ages participated in the event. Organizers say the involvement of young people is the type of action they want to see for long term changes.
“As a youth organizer in Kalamazoo, it makes me feel very good,” said Tamara Custer, a community activist who helped organized the event, “because the reality of it is that they are the next upcoming generation, and if we can’t be the voices for that next generation and invoke and make sure that their voices are also being heard, then I have failed them. As a youth leader, it’s important to make sure that I am leading by example. Seeing more youth show up to this particular protest, it’s enlightening that they feel safe in this space and can express themselves.”
Organizers say their goal is to ensure another life is not lost in the same manner as Breonna Taylor.
“My goal is to make sure that nothing like that takes place in our city where we reside,” said Custer. "So in response to that, what is KDPS doing to make sure that Breonna Taylor doesn’t happen here?"
