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More than 350 people gathered at the corner of U.S. 131 and Michigan Avenue on Saturday, March 28, from 3 to 4 p.m. Supportive drivers honked as they passed, while others shouted at demonstrators from their vehicles. At least two trucks repeatedly drove past the crowd in the lane closest to the sidewalk, revving their engines and emitting diesel exhaust toward protesters.

For now, co-founder James Gray said he hopes people see the sale not as an ending forced by controversy, but as a handoff.

“Like many businesses, they get sold, owners pass the torch,” he said. “It’s a great thing that we were able to build something that could be sold. We are excited to see it continue with new ownership.”

He added: “We truly believe Farrand Hall has a soul mate out there and that person will give this property the same love and dedication that we gave it.”

The event features mostly filmmakers from Kalamazoo and the surrounding region, with films shot in — and in some cases about — the city itself.

One of the featured filmmakers, Jerod Kauffman, created a documentary about the final days of the longtime dive bar Harvey’s on the Mall, which closed after a buyout. Kauffman said he wanted to capture the story of a place that helped define Kalamazoo’s nightlife culture.

“The closure was sudden to everyone — the community and staff — so I wanted to immortalize a place that was loved by so many,” Kauffman wrote to Watershed Voice. “I saw a fence and bulldozer outside the building today on the way to work. I think it’s going to be torn down, so I am happy I was able to capture a piece of Kalamazoo history and the bar that stood and served the community for 40+ years.”