Local

See scenes from Kansas City’s protests against ICE as part of nationwide wave

By Emily Curiel and Dominick Williams

On a national day of protesting against ICE, striking to show opposition against escalating immigration enforcement in the U.S. and gathering to take action, Kansas City not just one, but multiple protests in support of immigrants.

The two biggest protests were at the National World War I Museum & Memorial grounds and downtown, starting at Oppenstein Park and marching through the streets.

The weather didn’t make it easy to spend the afternoon chanting, marching and making speeches, with frigid temperatures that felt as low as minus 4. But many still made their voices heard at the various events.

See the crowds, their signs and the calls for ICE to stand down in photos captured by The Star’s photojournalists.

Protest at World War I Museum & Memorial

Protesters gathered at the World War I Museum and Memorial to rally against recent ICE actions across the U.S. and in Kansas City on Friday, January 30, 2026.
Protesters gathered at the World War I Museum and Memorial to rally against recent ICE actions across the U.S. and in Kansas City on Friday, January 30, 2026. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Protesters gathered at the World War I Museum and Memorial to rally against recent ICE actions across the U.S. and in Kansas City on Friday, January 30, 2026.
Protesters gathered at the World War I Museum and Memorial to rally against recent ICE actions across the U.S. and in Kansas City on Friday, January 30, 2026. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Protesters gathered at the World War I Museum and Memorial to rally against recent ICE actions across the U.S. and in Kansas City on Friday, January 30, 2026.
Protesters gathered at the World War I Museum and Memorial to rally against recent ICE actions across the U.S. and in Kansas City on Friday, January 30, 2026. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Protesters gathered at the World War I Museum and Memorial to rally against recent ICE actions across the U.S. and in Kansas City on Friday, January 30, 2026.
Protesters gathered at the World War I Museum and Memorial to rally against recent ICE actions across the U.S. and in Kansas City on Friday, January 30, 2026. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Protesters gathered at the World War I Museum and Memorial to rally against recent ICE actions across the U.S. and in Kansas City on Friday, January 30, 2026.
Protesters gathered at the World War I Museum and Memorial to rally against recent ICE actions across the U.S. and in Kansas City on Friday, January 30, 2026. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Protesters gathered at the World War I Museum and Memorial to rally against recent ICE actions across the U.S. and in Kansas City on Friday, January 30, 2026.
Protesters gathered at the World War I Museum and Memorial to rally against recent ICE actions across the U.S. and in Kansas City on Friday, January 30, 2026. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Protesters gathered at the World War I Museum and Memorial to rally against recent ICE actions across the U.S. and in Kansas City on Friday, January 30, 2026.
Protesters gathered at the World War I Museum and Memorial to rally against recent ICE actions across the U.S. and in Kansas City on Friday, January 30, 2026. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Protesters gathered at the World War I Museum and Memorial to rally against recent ICE actions across the U.S. and in Kansas City on Friday, January 30, 2026.
Protesters gathered at the World War I Museum and Memorial to rally against recent ICE actions across the U.S. and in Kansas City on Friday, January 30, 2026. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Protesters gathered at the World War I Museum and Memorial to rally against recent ICE actions across the U.S. and in Kansas City on Friday, January 30, 2026.
Protesters gathered at the World War I Museum and Memorial to rally against recent ICE actions across the U.S. and in Kansas City on Friday, January 30, 2026. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com

Protest in downtown Kansas City

Protesters joined nationwide demonstrations against ICE in downtown Kansas City in freezing temperatures on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026.
Protesters joined nationwide demonstrations against ICE in downtown Kansas City in freezing temperatures on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Protesters joined nationwide demonstrations against ICE in downtown Kansas City in freezing temperatures on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026.
Protesters joined nationwide demonstrations against ICE in downtown Kansas City in freezing temperatures on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Protesters joined nationwide demonstrations against ICE in downtown Kansas City in freezing temperatures on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026.
Protesters joined nationwide demonstrations against ICE in downtown Kansas City in freezing temperatures on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Protesters hold up several signs, joining nationwide demonstrations against ICE in downtown Kansas City in freezing temperatures on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026.
Protesters hold up several signs, joining nationwide demonstrations against ICE in downtown Kansas City in freezing temperatures on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Protesters joined nationwide demonstrations against ICE in downtown Kansas City in freezing temperatures on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026.
Protesters joined nationwide demonstrations against ICE in downtown Kansas City in freezing temperatures on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Protesters joined nationwide demonstrations against ICE in downtown Kansas City in freezing temperatures on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026.
Protesters joined nationwide demonstrations against ICE in downtown Kansas City in freezing temperatures on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Protesters joined nationwide demonstrations against ICE in downtown Kansas City in freezing temperatures on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026.
Protesters joined nationwide demonstrations against ICE in downtown Kansas City in freezing temperatures on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Related Stories from Kansas City Star
Profile Image of Emily Curiel
Emily Curiel
The Kansas City Star
Emily Curiel, is a visual journalist at The Star. With a broad scope of coverage, Curiel navigates subjects including breaking news, sports, features and long-form narratives. She is a first-generation graduate from San Francisco State University and a native of Los Angeles.
Profile Image of Dominick Williams
Dominick Williams
The Kansas City Star
Dominick Williams serves as a visual journalist for the Kansas City Star. His journalistic endeavors cover a diverse array of topics, notably sports, breaking news, human interest narratives, and culinary features.
Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER