Eight volunteers wanted to use their standing as white citizens to push the community to act.
KALAMAZOO, MI — Eight demonstrators arrested Tuesday said their «white privilege» allowed them to risk legal consequences from an act of civil disobedience performed in solidarity with undocumented immigrants.
Hundreds of demonstrators blocked one of Kalamazoo’s busiest intersections in defiance of a decision to end protections for people brought into the country illegally as children. However, only eight stayed after police stepped in, allowing themselves to be arrested.
All eight were arrested by the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, processed and released Tuesday evening. A Sept. 19 court date will determine their charges, likely a misdemeanor for violating city ordinances.
An online crowdfunding campaign seeks to raise $4,000 to cover court fees incurred against those arrested, though demonstrators are prepared to cover their own costs. Started by 6th District Congressional candidate Eponine Garrod, the effort has raised around $700 from more than a 20 supporters as of Wednesday afternoon.
The protest came the same day Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the Trump administration was ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, giving Congress six months to come up with a legislative change if it chooses.
Lewis, West Michigan co-director for Michigan United, said Wednesday that the eight volunteers came forward to use their standing as white citizens to push the community to act, regardless of the consequences.
Demonstrators said that while they can protest publicly and be introduced into the criminal justice system, undocumented immigrants can’t stand up for themselves in the same way because it would mean risking deportation.
«For us as citizens who are white, we want to take up our responsibility to fight white supremacy; and that means taking risks, » Lewis said. «The point of the arrests was to show fellow white folks what it means to take action and invite people in.»
It was the debut event of Movimiento Cosecha Kzoo, a new group created pursue nonviolent strategies to protect immigrants in the United States.
During a Bronson Park rally that preceded the march to West Michigan Avenue, two DACA recipients who grew up and attend college in Kalamazoo shared their story.
Lewis said they spoke of living in a constant state of fear and vigilance; always having to be wary of law enforcement while trying to build a productive life in Kalamazoo.
«DACA is an important protection against deportation and it’s temporary, (only lasting two years at a time) , » she said. «What we need is comprehensive immigration reform and to be fighting for the 11 million people who are undocumented. We need clear pathway to citizenship — DACA is not the holy grail.»
The act of civil disobedience marked a change in tactics for groups like Michigan United, ProKzoo, Michigan for Revolution and other left-leaning organizations that have organized to defy the Trump presidency with increasing fury.
Lewis said it was inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.’s «Letter from a Birmingham Jail, » which argued against inaction among white moderates.
King charged that human progress comes through tireless efforts, and without hard work «time itself becomes an ally of the forces of social stagnation.»
«Tension is the only way that we grow, » Lewis said. «We’re only going to grow and change when we push ourselves and push our community and that happens through tension.»
It also came after Kalamazoo City Commissioner Shannon Sykes challenged white people to do more than make signs and attend rallies to address white supremacy. Sykes said white progressives are «failing» during an Aug. 13 demonstration after incidents of racial hatred in Charlottesville, Va.
Movimiento Cosecha Kzoo founder Nelly Fuentes-Donnachello said Tuesday’s rally matched the escalation of Trump’s policies against undocumented immigrants.
During the demonstration, some motorists expressed frustration with the stalled traffic, while others cheered. A line of vehicles stretched back to Stadium Drive at one point.
Fuentes-Donnachello said the event was meant to polarize Kalamazoo residents.
Their inconvenience Tuesday afternoon pales in comparison to the struggle now facing around 800,000 undocumented immigrants brought to America as children.
«There’s people right in the middle who can’t decide which way to go, » she said. «You’re either with us or against us. It has to come to that.»
However, an ambulance driving on West Michigan Avenue was let through by protesters, and Haag said a woman who was on her way to the hospital was let through.
Haag, a U. S. Marine Corps veteran who fought in the Gulf War, said he was spurred to political action after Trump was elected. His wife is of Mexican heritage and his daughter is a bilingual student at Kalamazoo’s El Sol Elementary in Kalamazoo.
He said as he stood in the street Tuesday, he knew that the demonstrators had passed the «point of no return, » and he would be arrested. Haag hoped his incarceration wouldn’t have a severe impact on his family, but had already come to terms with his fate before walking into the road.
«In my experience I see good hardworking folks trying to strive toward the American dream, » Haag said. «Depending on their immigration status, they have a restricted voice and liberties in terms of standing up for themselves without putting themselves at great risk. I want to take advantage of my white privilege to do the right thing.»
In all, Kalamazoo Public Safety Chief Jeff Hadley estimated around 25 officers were out on the streets Tuesday evening. The Bronson Park rally began at 5 p.m., and demonstrations on the street ended shortly after 7 p.m.
Hadley said that with enough notice, and depending amount of disruption to normal city operations, police will be prepared for future acts of civil disobedience. Officers gave demonstrators several warnings before the arrests and were able to peacefully diffuse the situation.
«I think it went as peaceful and smoothly as it could have, » Hadley said. «Start softly and if you’ve got to do things different as things evolve we will react to that. You don’t need to go in with a heavy stance right off the back.»
Haag and Lewis said they were treated well by police while in custody.
«I have the utmost respect for our community’s law enforcement, » Haag said. «I feel fortunate to be in a community where we have that caliber of law enforcement and they conducted themselves very professionally and with a lot of compassion.
