Kalamazoo community shows up to protest anti-immigration policies 

At least one hundred people gathered in downtown Kalamazoo on Saturday, February 8 for what organizers say was the city’s first protest against anti-immigration policies. Many more showed support by honking their horns from their cars as they passed by, chanting along with demonstrators.

The protest, an informal gathering organized by two locals, took place on the sidewalks of Michigan Avenue near Bronson Park and lasted for several hours Saturday afternoon.

Emily Gallardo, a student at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, helped organize the protest by sharing a leaflet online.

“I’ve seen these protests happening all over the U.S.,” Gallardo said. “We want our voices to be heard. A peaceful protest — nothing bad, no violence, no riots, nothing.”

Despite some snowfall and a temperature hovering in the low 20s, protesters remained boisterous throughout the demonstration, chanting “Trump’s gotta go” and “Musk gotta go.”

Lainey Hoyes, a student at Western Michigan University, said she believes immigration policies unfairly target marginalized communities.

“No human is illegal on stolen land, in my opinion, and this is a hateful divide,” Hoyes said. “American citizens are more likely to commit violent crimes than any immigrant. The immigrants are hard working, loving people and contribute to our economy.”

Mike Kirvan, a retired U.S. Department of Agriculture official who worked in the industry for 30 years, said mass deportations would have a devastating impact on the state’s agricultural economy.

“If it wasn’t for the (Latino) community, we’d be in deep trouble,” Kirvan said. “Fifteen years ago, nobody was even talking about any of this stuff. This country will fall apart if we lose our immigrants.”

Gina Bello, a Michigan State University student and Kalamazoo local, was another organizer. A U.S. citizen, Bello said she has had personal encounters with immigration enforcement. At age 12, her family was detained while on vacation, forcing them to cut the trip short.

“They weren’t really nice in how they treated us,” Bello said. “They discriminate, they profile. Now they’re willing to take even citizens into custody. That’s just not fair.”

Bello said with the recent rollout of immigration authority all over the country, many undocumented immigrants are afraid to speak or show up. 

“It’s up to us — citizens who have a voice — to speak up for the injustices and discrimination happening,” she added.

As of now, there have been no official reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity or detainments in Kalamazoo.

According to 2022 U.S. Census data, 5.8% of Kalamazoo’s population is foreign-born.

Aaron Thiel, a transgender person who feels personally threatened by recent presidential policies, also attended the protest in solidarity.

“It’s scary. They’re taking people’s citizenship away so quickly — you blink, and six more things have happened,” Thiel said. “So you just have to be a little mad about everything.

“I’m here to show solidarity with (Latinos), Palestinians, people who are under attack by the new administration.”

Najifa Farhat is a staff reporter for Watershed Voice.