AFTERMATH: ARRESTS, ASSAULT CHARGES & MAYOR QUINTON LUCAS DENOUNCES 'FAKE PRIMARILY NON-BLACK ALLIES' FOLLOWING PROTESTERS TAGGING KANSAS CITY POLICE HEADQUARTERS!!!
Today's pause in posting wasn't just to focus
First and foremost, the response from the Mayor drew both criticism and widespread support . . . Here's his social media reaction that dominates discussion of the incident . . .
"I went downtown last night and was disappointed to see the efforts by folks working their hardest to distort and distract.
"Defacing a monument to police officers killed in duty, tearing up public buildings that our primarily black employees are cleaning the next day, throwing explosives at a door to intimidate the lady working by the door at night... None of those actions tell this black man you care about me or my family’s struggle. None of it tells me you’re trying to make change beyond some video views in a night.
"I’ve worked hard each day to make and carry change to fruition. It may not be big enough or fast enough for some but I’ll be damned if I’ll let fake—primarily non-black—allies like those out last night claim some moral high ground.
"I know we’ve got work to do. We’ll keep doing it. But, our lives and our struggle aren’t a stage for clicks.
"And looking at who has been around me each time we are trying to make positive change, I know vandals are in it for themselves, their attention, centering their view of the world, and sure as hell aren’t in it to make life for my family or my people any better.
"If you’re about a movement, be about the people you’re fighting for. If you’re about a fad, violence, acting a fool, or having something to do one summer while the rest of us face issues for a lifetime, please just go somewhere else."
And so we ask our blog community . . .
WAS THE MAYOR'S REACTION AGAINST PROTESTERS EFFECTIVE?!??!
TKC believes that some response against the actions of "allies" was required yet local leaders have been hesitant to take on this contingent.
Accordingly . . .
Here's a collection of round-up conversation and news as this conflict resonates across the nation . . .
KCTV5: 150 protesters spray paint KCPD statue, headquarters doors Friday night
KSHB: 11 arrested for assault, property damage at protest outside KCPD headquarters
Fox4: A 23-year-old protester from Lawrence, Kan., has been charged in the assault of a law enforcement officer Friday night at KCPD police headquarters, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced today.
KCTV5: Charges filed after officer's hand is slammed in door at KCPD headquarters
WDAF: ‘Please just go somewhere else’: KC Mayor Lucas scolds protesters who vandalized police monument
Developing . . .