Hours after peaceful protest starts Tuesday, police presence increases on KC Plaza

Police officers began lining up around the Country Club Plaza as peaceful protests continued into the evening hours Tuesday.

Dozens more police officers arrived and police began lining up less than two hours after the mayor had tweeted that officers were standing down and planned “to respond only when needed.”

It’s unclear what led to an increased law enforcement presence. Some protesters who had been in the street were seen moving back onto the sidewalk as officers moved up.

Over a loudspeaker, one police officer was heard asking people to stay on the sidewalk.

After about half an hour, police began to move back.

A Kansas City police officer was heard on a megaphone telling protesters to stay off the street. “We’ll be out of here,” an officer is heard saying.

Protesters began applauding as the police lines moved back from the park.

Kansas City Police Chief Rick Smith told reporters earlier in the day that officers have started modifying their response and that police were “trying to de-escalate things as best as possible.”

By Tuesday evening, hundreds of people were at the Plaza, protesting police brutality and the death of George Floyd.

Since Friday night, at least a couple hundred people 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.

Kansas City Mayor Quinton 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 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.