‘No Kings’ rally planned for Saturday in KC. What KCPD response policy says
In preparation for what could be a large gathering of demonstrators this weekend, the Kansas City Police Department has said it will follow a protocol for responding to activities protected by the First Amendment.
A rally planned for noon to 3 p.m. at Mill Creek Park, near the Country Club Plaza, is Kansas City’s installment of the “No Kings” demonstrations being held across the country. The events protest President Donald Trump and immigration policies, among other issues.
While police expect the rally to remain peaceful, Sgt. Phil DiMartino, a police spokesman, said officers will be monitoring it.
On Thursday, Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe activated the National Guard, declaring a state of emergency due to civil unrest in the state.
Kehoe cited Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield and other “affected communities” where events were occurring or “could occur” that create hazards for people and property beyond the resources of local officials.
However, no evidence of riots or other widespread violence were identified in the state. Kehoe said the executive order was precautionary.
“We expect a peaceful gathering, no matter how many people attend,” DiMartino said of the Kansas City rally.
KCPD policy for First Amendment activities
A police department policy issued April 7, 2021, outlines procedures and guidelines for interacting with people participating in First Amendment-protected assemblies. The goal is to safeguard constitutional rights while maintaining public safety and order, the policy states.
The policy reiterates that people have the right to assemble on public streets, sidewalks, parks, and near their cause of protest, as long as they do not “unreasonably obstruct traffic or threaten public safety.”
Officers are instructed to act impartially. They are prohibited from interfering with lawful assemblies or collecting information on individuals based solely on identity, beliefs or associations.
Under the policy, police must follow strict guidelines before declaring an assembly unlawful or using force. They are required to issue clear orders for people to disperse, and attempt communication with protest organizers, the policy states.
The policy also discourages crowd control tactics such as “kettling,” where officers surround a group from all sides, unless it is absolutely necessary to protect public safety.
The policy also includes definitions for assembly, unlawful assembly, and riot, which align with Missouri state statutes on the subjects.
During Kansas City Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, police threatened protesters with pepper spray and made hundreds of arrests. People were cited with failure to comply with police, failure to remain on a sidewalk, disorderly conduct and assault, among other crimes.
The policy on First Amendment-protected activities was adopted by the police department the following year, placing a strong focus on transparency, accountability, and minimizing the use of force.
Indivisible KC and City Hall prepare
Organizers of Saturday’s rally said they have formed their own safety team and have been working with police to discuss procedures.
Beverly Harvey, a leader with Indivisible KC, said she does not anticipate any violent acts or confrontations with authorities.
“We look forward to a successful peaceful protest with hundreds if not thousands showing their support to save our democracy,” Harvey said in an email. “If there are any issues tomorrow, it will not be by Indivisible Kansas City members or other pro-democracy organizations in Kansas City.”
Kansas City’s Office of Emergency Management will activate its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at a Level 3, Saturday, a city spokesperson said.
A Level 3 means the center will be partially staffed to monitor conditions and respond in real time, said Kansas City spokeswoman Sherae Honeycutt.
Staff from multiple departments, including KCPD, Fire/EMS, Public Works, Communications, the National Weather Service, and IT, will be on site.
Honeycutt said that while the rally is not a city-sponsored or organized event, it encourages participants to be mindful of their surroundings and follow safety guidance issued by law enforcement.
There are no road closure permits submitted in the area. Protesters should remain on sidewalks where possible and avoid impeding traffic or emergency access, Honeycutt said.
“We remain committed to protecting the rights and safety of all residents,” Honeycutt said in an email.
No Kings protests across KC metro
In an online platform, mobilize.us, No Kings event pages called the rallies a “nationwide day of defiance” against “authoritarian excesses and corruption from Trump and his allies.”
Earlier this week, hundreds attended a Shut Down ICE protest, showing disapproval of federal immigration policies affecting local communities.
On March 29, thousands participated in a “March for Democracy” from downtown to Union Station.
Another crowd gathered at Mill Creek Park April 12 to protest Trump, the Department of Government Efficiency and its former leader, Elon Musk.
There are at least seven “No Kings” rallies organized across the Kansas City metro, according to the online platform mobilize.us.
Those locations include Kansas City, Lee’s Summit, Overland Park, Lenexa, Lawrence and Leavenworth.
The Star’s Nathan Pilling, Jonathan Shorman and Kacen Bayless contributed.
