‘We’re all humans’: Hundreds march through KC streets Tuesday as protest continues

Kansas City police officers joined a few hundred people who began marching north on Main Street Tuesday evening, protesting police brutality and calling for change within law enforcement.

Sgt. Jacob Becchina, a Kansas City police spokesman, told reporters officers are keeping up along the route to ensure protesters are safe.

Becchina said police and a group of 40 faith-based leaders from the Kansas City area prayed for safety and for a peaceful night in the city. So far, Becchina said police are feeling optimistic.

Some onlookers who were driving by the protesters honked and cheered as protesters made their way north.

One of the organizers of Tuesday’s demonstration continued to call on people to remain on the sidewalk as the crowd continued walking, carrying signs sharing messages like “Silence is violence” and “No justice, no peace.”

A police officer was heard telling protesters over a loudspeaker, “Please get on the sidewalk or you will be arrested.”

In the area of Main and 39th streets, the crowed began to split up into smaller groups, some continuing north.

Julian Roy, 28, a server on the Plaza became an emboldened crowd leader Tuesday, striding back and forth in front of the protesters, leading chants, urging “Take a knee!”

“It breaks my heart, man. My mom was always passionate about rights. You, me, we’re all humans,” Roy said. “Everything’s been peaceful” until police began using tear gas, Roy indicated. “Last night this whole park was running in terror,” Roy said.

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.”

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 had been used to disperse crowds at times over the weekend and Monday. Police said some had 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.

This story was originally published June 2, 2020 at 8:04 PM.