Black Lives Matter: Pride Gathering Planned For This Weekend

June is officially Pride month, and sadly because of the Covid-19 situation, it was announced last month that Pride would be cancelled for the summer of 2020. However, organizers from the peaceful Kalamazoo Black Lives Matter demonstration are working together to have a special day put aside to commemorate the sacrifices made by POC in the LGBTQ community.

The Black Lives Matter: Pride gathering will be a: "community gathering/demonstration to recognize and celebrate the intersectionality between race, sexuality & gender identity. We must continue to move forward as a community demanding justice and equality for both groups. There is a lot of pride to be had being apart of the black community and LGBTQ+ community and by coming together, we can better support both causes." The gathering is planned to be held at Bronson Park on Saturday, June 6th at Noon.

There has been some backlash and controversy surrounding the military presence in Kalamazoo. On Tuesday, June 2nd peaceful protestors who broke the curfew set by the local state of emergency, were fired upon with smoke and tear gas, while overnight, houses in Kalamazoo were set on fire with no military police in sight to help prevent that.

Yet still, the organizers and participants of these demonstrations remain dedicated to the peaceful and powerful mindset to make their voices heard. After facing riot gear intimidation, combative weaponry, and being forced to disperse their peaceful gatherings, they will not be scared away from their basic human rights. If you miss Pride and Do-Dah, this event will do its best to make up for it the best it can.