In the aftermath of Saturday Night Plaza Riot there has been little more than silly opinion that's either racist, misinformed or far too sentimental.
On the night of the riot, I was home, alone in my basement (as usual) and luckily checking e-mail so I could see a more than a few KICKASS TKC TIPSERS send in reports of the incident.
However, the first person AT THE SCENE provided some great details. Further investigation from THIS MOST AWESOME PLAZA TKC TIPSTER" offers some an unprecedented accounting of the incident and valuable perspective while so many other media outlets are printing nothing but Plaza PR and bloggers have little more than their own opinion.
Check out the 1st Hand Account and Investigation:
"The epicenter started between Brio and Noodles & Co. Not much seemed to happen on the Brush Creek Side. The groups were as large as 50 walking in unison. They crossed the street in packs in the middle of the street and intentionally on green lights. They really didn't seem to be worried about the police or in any hurry to move along when told too. Even with a police presence similar to the ending of the Plaza Art Fair. At one point a group of about 30 were on the stairs between Scooters Coffee and Lockton Insurance. With Police at the top and bottom they bolted up the stairs and the stragglers were sprayed with something at top. There was at least on fist fight between groups on 47th within 100 feet of numerous officers. The crowd was too large though and moved on before the police took action. Restaurants around the park stopped seating early because of the spray in the air.
I think the readers commenting on this from afar are missing the spirit of this thing. It really did not come across as a racial situation. I understand the context where that can be seen, but that wasn't the situation on the ground. These are kids that are not old enough to drive. This wasn't political, but rather a bunch of kids who know the police can't do anything to them. They know the adults won't clock them because they are 14. They also know the police can't arrest them all so in mass they hold the upper hand. This is much less The Watt's Riots and much more "Lord of the Flies." Until the police have the manpower and justification to round them up en masse, I think they will continue to be emboldened."
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A special thanks to all those who called-in and sent e-mails. With so many newsy outlets dependent on Plaza Ad money . . . TKC TIPSTERS were more dedicated to reporting the facts of THE PLAZA SATURDAY NIGHT RIOT!!! Natch.
Finally, here's a roundup of the best Plaza Riot Links:
Teens migrate from Westport to the Country Club Plaza
Wow, someone sent me video & pictures of the various fights on the Plaza!
Plaza Brawls Caught On Camera
KCPD: Plaza crowds were planned
Pepper Spray is not the answer to the problem on the Plaza!
KCMO ELITIST…WELCOME TO THE EAST SIDE
KC PLaza Race Riot/Wilding!
Spring, when the Plaza is full of pepper spray
Plaza Still Reeling From Teen Madness Saturday
Police use pepper spray on Plaza crowds
Plaza Fights Break Out After Police Try To Enforce Curfew
Police Respond To Plaza Mayhem