Protesters chanted, âBlack lives matter,â as they walked from the Kalamazoo Courthouse down to the Kalamazoo Mall. Drums were played to the words as cars drove by honking on their horns in support. Handheld signs read, âSay their names,â and âBelieve Black voices.âÂ
This was in honor of all the members of the Black community who have lost their lives in the hands of the police, said King Ryan, executive director of Uptlift Kalamazoo.
âWeâre not here to protest for George Floyd, or Breonna Taylor, or Daunte Wright or Philando Castile,â Ryan said. âWeâre here to protest against all the Black people whose names we donât know.â
Uplift Kalamazoo Accepting Donations in MLK Park Saturdays
Even when times get a little tough, I always ask myself if I have something to spare. Whether its an extra can of beans in my cabinet that has been allowed to collect dust or a jar of coins on my dresser, those small things are reminders that I m doing alright. But there are so many in our community that are struggling, and Uplift Kalamazoo is there to help fill in the gaps.
Uplift Kalamazoo is collecting donations for our local homeless population in Dr. Martin Luther King Park Memorial Park on Rose Street every Saturday from 3:00 to 4:00pm. They are accepting everything, from clothing to food, to warm weather accessories. You name it, they need it. In a season where we re caught up with crossing names off our lists, why not take some time to remember the needs of those nameless to you. Maybe get the family together and gather essential items.