KC protest update: Body cameras, calls for chief's resignation, 4 arrests

Kansas City police officers who participated in the “Unity March” Wednesday were met with some counter-protesters who doubted the motives of the march and of police.

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But the day’s demonstrations remained mostly peaceful.

The march, consisting of members of the public and officers, started early in the evening near Southmoreland Park and headed west to Mill Creek Park in Kansas City, where hundreds of protesters turned out for a sixth day to protest the deaths of black Americans at the hands of police and call for change in law enforcement.

Kansas City police spokesman Sgt. Jacob Becchina said four people were arrested Wednesday, fewer arrests than any day prior.

For the second night in a row, no tear gas was deployed, Becchina added. He said Wednesday’s protests “were the best night yet.”

Body camera funding announced

Before the march Wednesday, Kansas City Police Chief Rick Smith announced some funding was secured for police officers to receive body cameras.

Smith said he doesn’t know yet when the body cameras will be acquired, but that once they are, getting them operational will be “a seamless transition.”

The DeBruce Foundation stated it donated $1 million for the body cameras and raised an additional $1.5 million from community partners. Numerous groups in recent days have called on Kansas City police to equip its officers with body cameras, including many protesters who converged at the Plaza, which remained closed Thursday.

In 2018, police took a step toward equipping officers with body-worn cameras when it began accepting bids to buy them. No action had been taken since then as police officials have said they were grappling with video privacy and storage issues.

The Kansas City-based foundation said in a statement that it recognizes both citizens and police have agreed body cameras are needed. It said it was time “for foundations and business leaders to take action.”

“We believe in Kansas City and we want to be part of the solution for the future good of our community,” the statement read.

As those participating in Wednesday’s march neared Mill Creek Park, they were at first met with resistance. Some protesters initially blocked the street, chanting “We don’t just want justice, we want change.”

They soon let the marchers through to the park where hundreds of protesters already convened.

Conversations between the police officers and protesters soon began.

Some discussions became heated at times as some people demanded answers from officers.

One officer was heard telling a man he couldn’t “speak or speculate” on the actions of other officers. But, the officer said, “If I didn’t care, I wouldn’t have sat in this chair number one. Number two, if I didn’t care, I wouldn’t have showed up and marched down here.”

Across the table, the man told the officer he commended the officer for sitting down with him.

Becchina said the department will likely host a similar opportunity for community members to meet again with police in the future.

“If people want to hear from us, we need to keep talking,” he said. “And if people want to keep talking to us, we need to keep listening.”

Some call for firing of police chief

Not all protesters seemed pleased with the arrangement. Some chanted “Fire Chief Smith!”

Earlier in the day, some civil rights groups, including the Urban League of Greater Kansas City, the NAACP’s Kansas City branch, and More2, called for the Smith’s resignation, citing a lack of confidence in his handling of fatal police shootings of African American men and allegations of excessive use of force by the department.

Smith told reporters he has no intention of resigning and knew nothing about the groups calling for his resignation.

“I think I have an important job to do, I love my job, I’m dedicated to doing it and serving the city,” Smith said.

A police officer was seen walking away after demonstrators began arguing among themselves. One yelled, asking her to talk about the death of Cameron Lamb, a black man who was shot and killed by police in December. At the same time, another demonstrator tried to ask the same officer about marching in the streets. Others stepped in, pleading with the group, telling them to let the officer talk.

Seana Young told demonstrators not to shake hands with police Wednesday night, viewing the ‘Unity March’ as “propaganda.” She said action is necessary.

“You don’t shake hands with your oppressor,” she said.

Justice Horn, one of the organizers of the counter protest Wednesday, said he came out to the Plaza because he feels the community is still hurting.

“But what we want is not a Kumbaya moment, not a picture moment,” Horn said. “We want actual policy change.”

He pointed to demands, including body cameras for officers, a community review board and ending the use of tear gas on protesters. After the police chief announced that body cameras would be purchased for the department, Horn said it showed him “we’re not doing this in vain.”

“Progress is going to come with some suffering, but at the same time, (it) is going to come,” he said. “We just want a safer community.”

At one point, protesters marched north to Westport, where many took a knee. Then many marched south, back to the Plaza where they went through police tape that’s been guarding the shopping center since some of its businesses were vandalized during Saturday’s protest.

Dozens of police officers were seen lining up. For several minutes, the crowd chanted, including “Black lives matter.” Many turned around and moved back after a few minutes.

Protests were mostly calm Tuesday and Wednesday as police earlier said they would work to de-escalate tension and protesters urged one another to stay peaceful.

Becchina said officers in line Wednesday at points stepped back and “relinquished the area” to the protesters who then returned to the park.

Wednesday’s events follow demonstrations that have been held since Friday at the Plaza.

Since last week, protests around the country were sparked by the killing of George Floyd, a black man who died after white Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck during an arrest for nearly nine minutes. Chauvin has been charged with murder and three other officers face related charges.

Star reporters Katie Bernard, Katie Moore, Lisa Gutierrez, Judy L. Thomas, Glenn E. Rice and Luke Nozicka contributed to this report.

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