Kalamazoo’s Public Safety Department has a new leader. Former assistant chief Vernon Coakley was promoted after Karianne Thomas stepped down. She faced intense criticism over the department's response to a rally by the far-right group the Proud Boys that ended in a clash with counter-protestors. Corianna McDowell co-organized a rally for the group "Just Policing" in downtown Kalamazoo Wednesday:
"I’m hoping that Chief Coakley, being an African-American in this leadership role, that he really hears our voice, that he really understands where we come from and that we start making some changes in Kalamazoo, the city and the county as a whole," said McDowell.
McDowell says she was disturbed by President Donald Trump’s remark about the Proud Boys during the presidential debate Tuesday. Trump said the group should - his words - “stand back and stand by.”