Parson declares civil unrest in Missouri, puts National Guard, highway patrol at ready
Gov. Mike Parson on Saturday declared a state of emergency due to civil unrest, a move that puts the Missouri National Guard and Missouri Highway Patrol at the ready to support local authorities.
Parson’s order on Saturday evening comes as unrest took hold in Kansas City, where protesters and police clashed during a demonstration at the Country Club Plaza.
Kansas City police deployed tear gas and pepper spray into the crowd gathered in and around the Plaza. It was Kansas City’s second night of protesting police brutality in the days following the death of George Floyd, a black man in Minneapolis who died after policeman Derek Chauvin put his knee to Floyd’s neck for more than eight minutes as he lay prone and handcuffed.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of George Floyd,” Parson said in a statement. “We are also saddened by the acts of violence that have transpired across our nation and state in response to this event. At this time, we are taking a proactive approach to protect Missouri and its people.”
Friday night’s protests were largely calm, but Saturday’s protests, which are ongoing, took on a more ominous atmosphere in Kansas City.
“Several large violent groups of protesters have thrown bottles and rocks, blocked streets, looted businesses and been unlawful,” said Kansas City Police Capt. David Jackson in an email.
Police deployed tear gas and pepper spray on the crowds multiple times throughout the night. Arrests have been made.
A police spokesperson said he understood the Missouri Highway Patrol had been activated. Its patrolmen could be seen in Kansas City on Saturday night. Jackson said the Missouri National Guard would be here tomorrow.
Lucas said earlier on Saturday that he had spoken to Parson.
The Star’s Luke Nozicka contributed to this report.
This story was originally published May 30, 2020 at 10:28 PM.
