Kansas City won’t prosecute nonviolent demonstrators from George Floyd protests
Kansas City will not pursue charges against nonviolent protesters who flooded the streets to demonstrate against police brutality and the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police.
The City Council voted 9-2 Thursday to bar prosecution of certain municipal offenses during the first days of the protests — from 12:01 a.m. Friday, May 29, through 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, June 2. More than 220 people were arrested in the initial days of demonstrations as crowds clashed with police in riot gear who fired tear gas at protesters.
The ordinance would not protect those who may have caused property damage or committed violent acts.
“It’s important because as elected officials, we have a duty and a charge to understand issues, understand the law and preserve democracy,” said Councilman Brandon Ellington, 3rd District at-large, who introduced the legislation.
As Ellington introduced it, the legislation would have suspended prosecution for two sections of city code in certain parts of the city when protests were underway. Section 70 mainly deals with traffic laws. Section 50 includes a far more diverse array of ordinances.
The City Council amended the legislation at the suggestion of Councilwoman Andrea Bough, 6th District at-large, to narrowly tailor the ban to match the sorts of tickets and infractions Kansas City police handed out at the protests.
Councilwoman Melissa Robinson, 3rd District, said the protests reminded her of the 1960s’ civil rights movement and marches in Selma, Alabama.
“Today we have to ask ourselves which side of history are we going to be on?” Robinson said. “You have to ask yourself if you were sitting behind your television set on March the 7th … 1965, what would you be saying? Would you be saying, ‘They did the crime — then they need to do the time’?
“What would you be saying about the nonviolent protesters. Would you be saying that they deserved to be attacked by dogs, beaten and hosed and tear-gassed?” Robinson said.
“This is not about blue vs. black. This is about wrong vs. right.”
Mayor Pro Tem Kevin McManus said the ordinance targeted low-level municipal offenses peaceful protesters may have been cited for.
“I think we do need to recognize that this is an extraordinary thing to do,” McManus said, “but also, we’re in an extraordinary time.”
Bough said this was the council’s opportunity to “make a stand.” She said this spring’s protests have not been normal, but rather people “crying out and saying there is injustice in this world.”
“Some people may ask me why am I not advocating for the judicial process to go through?” Bough said. “I mean, my husband’s a judge, and I think he’s fair, and I think he has empathy. But sometimes the judicial process breaks down. Sometimes it’s not fair to people.”
The legislation passed committee last week after several hours of testimony from those who said they attended the protests and opposition from police officers’ union and family members.
On Thursday, Councilwoman Heather Hall said rescinding charges did not reflect “due process.” She said she was disappointed because normally Kansas City residents and police can get along.
“In February, we lauded the police officers for being a great partner with us for the (Super Bowl) parade. In March and April, we were grateful they protected us during a pandemic,” Hall said. “And now all of a sudden we’re vilifying them for something that really didn’t even happen in Kansas City originally.”
She added that waiving the charges would support “the political agenda of the protesters.”
“By intervening in the rights of the people, those who vote for this are using their office to further a political agenda,” Hall said. “This is the same type of political interference that caused KCPD to go under state control in the first place.”
She added: “Today I hope we will see if Tom Pendergast and his cronies are back or if due process and the rule of law will be maintained. The people are watching.”
Mayor Quinton Lucas voted for the legislation along with council members Ellington, Robinson, Eric Bunch, Lee Barnes, Ryana Parks-Shaw, Bough, McManus and Kevin O’Neill. Hall and Councilwoman Teresa Loar voted against it. Councilman Dan Fowler was absent, and Councilwoman Katheryn Shields did not vote.
This story was originally published June 18, 2020 at 6:31 PM.
