KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The deadline for them to leave has come and gone -- but protestors remained at a popular Kalamazoo park overnight.
They were camped out in protest of unsafe living conditions at the Mission Shelter. Those living in tents in Bronson Park were supposed to leave by 7 p.m. or be arrested.
Just before 7 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19, 14 people were taken into custody. City Commissioner Shannon Sykes Nehring was one of them. She was arrested for resisting and obstructing police.
Ten of them for Breaking a Police Line (a misdemeanor), one for Attempted Resisting and Obstruction (misdemeanor), and three on various outstanding warrants. Eight citations were issued for illegal camping.
Homelessness has been in the spotlight in Kalamazoo in recent weeks since a proposal to crack down on sleeping and camping in city parks drew criticism. Negotiations between the group and the city have failed.
According to a news release, the city said they had offered to relocate the campsite to safe locations prior to the arrests and provided an outline of 'actions taken to assist those in Bronson Park'. The city advised those without housing to call 211 for housing assistance.
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