Update: Arrested demonstrators used 'white privilege' in DACA protest

KALAMAZOO, MI -- Eight people were arrested Tuesday for closing down one of Kalamazoo's busiest intersections in defiance of a decision to end protections for people brought into the country illegally as children.

In an act of organized civil disobedience previously unseen in Kalamazoo during Donald Trump's presidency, hundreds of protesters disrupted traffic during rush hour Tuesday. What started as a demonstration against Trump's decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals culminated with a march to block Westnedge and Michigan avenues.

Kalamazoo #DACA protestors close busy downtown intersection in defiance of police. Posted by Kalamazoo Gazette on Tuesday, September 5, 2017

It marked a change in tactics for groups like Michigan United, ProKzoo, Michigan for Revolution and other left-leaning organizations that have organized to defy the Trump presidency with increasing fury.

Movimiento Cosecha Kzoo founder Nelly Fuentes-Donnachello said Tuesday's rally matched the escalation of Trump's policies against immigrants. Also an organizer with ProKzoo, Fuentes-Donnachello created the new group to pursue nonviolent strategies to protect immigrants in the United States.

"There is resistance in Kalamazoo," she said. "We are taking collective action and (Trump) should be pretty scared."

An average of 26,250 vehicles travel through the intersection on West Michigan Avenue (M-43) daily. The one-way street cuts right through the heart of the city.

During the demonstration, motorists expressed frustration with the stalled traffic. A line of vehicles stretched back to Stadium Drive at one point.

One woman was prevented from fleeing through a Citgo gas station by a lone protester. She responded by shouting obscenities at the man, who she said prevented her from getting home.

Fuentes-Donnachello said the event was meant to polarize Kalamazoo residents. Their inconvenience Tuesday afternoon pales in comparison to the struggle now facing around 800,000 undocumented immigrants brought to America as children.

"There's people right in the middle who can't decide which way to go," she said. "You're either with us or against us. It has to come to that."

The 2012 executive order issued by then-President Barack Obama permits undocumented immigrants who arrived in the United States as children to work, enroll in college and have driver's licenses.

Trump's decision to rescind DACA ends a five-year reprieve for undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. before reaching their 16th birthday.

Applicants can't have a felony conviction, a significant misdemeanor, three or more other misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety. They must also be in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have obtained a General Education Development (GED) certificate, or be an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States.

Though their conversation was drowned by a chorus of chanting, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety officers gave members of a human chain several warnings to disperse. After the attempts failed, Chief Jeff Hadley directed a team to arrest the demonstrators for violating city ordinance.

They will be charged with misdemeanors, likely face a small fine and will be released in the evening, Hadley said. The chief was satisfied with the actions of his officers, who made arrests safely and without incident.

"I think it went as peacefully as could be expected," Hadley said. "Some had it in their mind to block traffic and didn't want get off the roadway after repeated questioning, so we peacefully walked them off. This is what America is about, us trying to protect everyone's rights."

Overall, Hadley said the offenders will be in custody for a few hours. The department was aware of the demonstration beforehand, which occurred as officers working the day shift switched with those on duty for night shift.

In all, Hadley estimated around 25 officers were out on the streets. He said that with enough notice and depending amount of disruption to normal city operations, police will be prepared for future acts of civil disobedience.

"An instantaneous (event) would present a few more difficulties; we'll have to deal with it as it comes," Hadley said.

Despite the theatrics, Tuesday's message was a simple one.

"We need liberation for our people," Fuentes-Donachello said.