Kalamazoo city leaders explain police tactics use during Proud Boys violence

Kalamazoo city leaders held a press conference Sunday to explain the law enforcement response to violence that broke out between the Proud Boys and counter-protesters. The Proud Boys, labeled a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, held a demonstration Saturday afternoon and clashed with counter-protesters. However, some members of the public criticized the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety for their delayed response in restoring peace to the city. Kalamazoo Public Safety Chief Karianne Thomas said police first learned about the potential Proud Boys rally in July and as the Aug. 15 date approached, it "seemed more likely" that the event was going to occur. Counter-protests were also planned, one of them by Nathan Dannison, a pastor at a local church. Dannison said it took police 20 minutes to respond after fighting broke out. Thomas said the department developed their tactics to keep a low profile after protests against police brutality earlier in the summer. ►Read More: https://bit.ly/2Y8NjaY ➡️ Subscribe to 13 ON YOUR SIDE for exclusive content:    / 13onyourside   ➡️ Visit our website: 13onyourside.com Follow 13 ON YOUR SIDE on social media! ➡️ FACEBOOK: facebook.com/13ONYOURSIDE ➡️ TWITTER: twitter.com/wzzm13 ➡️ INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/wzzm13 We stand up for the community. We want to make life better for everyone. We celebrate all that makes West Michigan unique. We are 13 ON YOUR SIDE.