5th night of protests at KC Plaza off to peaceful start as temps hold near 90 degrees
This has been updated. The latest can be found here.
People protesting police brutality in Kansas City returned to the Country Club Plaza Tuesday to have their voices heard as demonstrations continue across the country.
Protests started off with a few dozen people at Mill Creek Park late Tuesday afternoon, many staying in the shade as temperatures reached nearly 90 degrees.
By roughly 4 p.m., about 80 to 100 people gathered, some occasionally shouting “No justice! No peace!” and “Black lives matter.”
Some began chanting George Floyd’s name.
Floyd, a black man, died on Memorial Day after a white Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck during an arrest for nearly nine minutes, a bystander’s video showed. His death sparked outrage across the nation and led to large crowds taking to their city streets and parks to protest.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said in a Twitter post that no curfew order would be issued Tuesday night and added he planned to share some changes later in night that “will help accountability and safety for cmty, protesters and police.”
One change, Lucas added, is that police officers would not be lining up around Mill Creek Park, and that current instructions were “to respond only when needed.” As of Tuesday afternoon, police vehicles and tape were in the area but officers were not standing in a line as previously observed.
Since Friday night, hundreds have gathered in Kansas City at Mill Creek Park near the Plaza in honor of black Americans who have died at the hands of law enforcement and to call for changes within the police department. The protests have been largely peaceful, but at times grew tense.
Pepper spray and tear gas have been used to disperse crowds at times. Police said some have thrown items — like rocks and water bottles — at officers. Some businesses in the Plaza have been damaged or vandalized. The Plaza remained closed Tuesday.
Lucas was among a few hundred people to join in on the protest and march on Monday night.
Some marched and chanted alongside Lucas, who listened to protesters calling for body cameras and more training for police. At one point, Lucas kneeled with them alongside Police Chief Rick Smith and held a moment of silence for Floyd.
Later in the night, officers declared the protest at the Plaza an unlawful assembly. Protesters scattered as an explosion of smoke broke out on the streets for the third night in a row in the city.
Police arrested more than 20 people by the end of the day Monday. Some who had been detained were found with rocks and urine-soaked items, Sgt. Jacob Becchina, a Kansas City police spokesman, told reporters. Kansas City police later tweeted that protesters threw objects including bottles, a shoe and a can of black beans at officers Monday.
After 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, police officers were seen blocking off surrounding streets around the Plaza as protests continued for a fifth day.
This story was originally published June 2, 2020 at 4:41 PM.