Letters: KC readers discuss a view on Plaza protests, calling for peace and baseball
Shine a light
The family of George Floyd wants citizens to peacefully express their constitutional right to free speech. George’s brother Terrence impassionately implored people over and over to do so. He clearly stated that the Floyd family does not condone those who would act out in violence, supposedly in George’s name.
Instead of restating this message to the American people, the president — in a totally disconnected show of saber rattling — engaged in an incoherent blustering and then took a bizarre walk to a church where he displayed a Bible.
Rather than this conduct, what the White House should be doing (in addition to restating Terrence’s plea) is assigning agents to covertly infiltrate peaceful demonstrators and immediately arrest those who engage in acts of violence. They should lawfully ascertain who the lawbreakers are and who is behind them, and then let the public know of them and what they are about.
- E. Eugene Harrison, Mission
Eyewitness account
From our condo overlooking Mill Creek Park, we observed the protesters every day over the last week. I strongly disagree with a June 4 letter that labeled the protesters as rioters, vandals and mobs. (10A) From our observations, this writer grossly mischaracterized them.
I don’t deny that tempers flared on a few occasions, but the vast majority of the protesters were peaceful.
We observed groups that tried to encourage violence, especially during the weekend nights, but many protesters actually tried to stop those who wanted to foment chaos. The Black Lives Matter message was conveyed with strength and restraint.
We also saw several instances where police acted aggressively and deployed tear gas, primarily to enforce the curfew and restrict access to the Country Club Plaza over the weekend. But they, too, have mostly shown good judgment and restraint, thus avoiding the horrific rioting seen in other cities.
The Unity March on Wednesday night did not get a lot of press, but it was reassuring to see those in the widely diverse crowd make their point without a hint of violence that we could see.
Blanketly labeling the protesters as rioters and vandals is just wrong.
- Duane Curtis, Kansas City
Timely honor
Now can we rename the J.C. Nichols Fountain in honor of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.?
- Tammie Barker, Kansas City
Steps of change
It is time to change law enforcement practices. It is also time to end the war on drugs, which is in fact a war on black Americans. How?
▪ Train every officer to shoot to stop, not shoot to kill.
▪ Once apprehended, suspects should be handcuffed, then raised upright. If the suspect is belligerent or appears to be a flight risk, add ankle cuffs.
▪ End police officers stopping rickety old cars driven by people of color in white neighborhoods, as well as stopping shiny, new, expensive cars driven by people of color, unless officers have a search warrant or are in pursuit.
▪ Move officers who use excessive force to desk jobs permanently.
▪ Train officers on behaviors that demonstrate respect.
▪ Require officers to wear and turn on body cameras when on duty that may involve interaction with witnesses, suspects or the public.
▪ Reward behavior that aligns with a new culture with an inclusive attitude.
▪ Police yourselves.
I am a white, single mother of four, grandmother of seven and a lifelong resident of the Kansas City area. Police departments can do better.
- Madaline Walter, Kansas City
Show yourself
History and the citizens of this country will ultimately judge. President Donald Trump, which are you: statesman or buffoon? (Hint: It’s not too late to remove yourself from the 2020 election.)
- Steve Stein, Overland Park
Back to baseball
Play ball, Kansas City.
March 26 was Major League Baseball’s Opening Day and April 2 was the Royals’ home opener — well, they were supposed to be. The pandemic threw a monkey wrench in that.
The National Basketball Association, Major League Soccer and other sports have worked out ways to start playing again. Sorry to see MLB and the players have not worked out something.
Everyone has to give something to get this thing going. Hundreds of Royals employees have been affected. Fans are clamoring for the return of baseball. It is time to get something done before the season is gone.
Let’s get it done.
- Joe Wittman, Kansas City, Kansas