Mayor Sly & Why Kansas City DIDN'T Riot With Ferguson, Missouri?!?

This week Missouri and the rest of the nation will remember the 10th anniversary of a Ferguson, Missouri "social justice riot" that set the stage for the current era of civil unrest and more strident "mostly peaceful" tactics of American protesters.

Sadly, the remembrance isn't going well: 

Fox2: ‘All police ain’t bad!’ – Ferguson chief vents frustration after officer suffers brain injury during protests

And this brings us back to Kansas City and a curious bit of recent history that has mostly been forgotten.

What stands out tonight given that hindsight is 20/20:

Whilst STL rioted in solidarity with nearby Ferguson . . . The response from Kansas City was prayerful, reverent and COMPLETELY peaceful. 

Here's a 2014 photo we took on the Kansas City Country Club Plaza on the weekend after rioters burned down most of the consumer options in a small Missouri suburb . . . 

And so the question that should spark local memories and help us moving forward . . .

WHY DIDN'T KANSAS CITY RIOT IN SOLIDARITY WITH FERGUSON, MISSOURI?!?!

The answer in one word: Leadership.

But let's explain a bit more . . .

Authorities, politicos and this blog expected a riot but that didn't happen. 

Instead . . .

After years of coping with rising crime and teen loitering problems on the Plaza . . . KCMO Mayor Sly James was quick to waddle down to historic entertainment district and lead a series of prayer vigils that offered activists and all manner of locals a chance to pray about their feelings and speak out in a non-violent manner. 

On one night he was accompanied by Kansas City Police Chief Darryl Forté -- This cowtown's first Black Chief of police.

Some local conservatives were cynical about the effort and claimed the KCMO residents had no reason to riot given EXCELLENT representation and political power.

But time has clearly demonstrated that protesters don't need a good reason riot, loot, burn cars and even kill innocent bystanders. 

Also . . .

Gauge Mayor Sly's reaction against current Mayor Quinton Lucas who didn't offer anything close to prayers after the 2020 murder of George Floyd but instead yelled for days with the crowd and chanted "No Justice, No Peace" at the same location that would host multiple clashes and assaults against police and later more widespread destruction on the Country Club Plaza.

And so . . .

Our Sunday conclusion from www.TonysKansasCity.com regarding the KCMO reaction to Ferguson, Missouri civil unrest . . .

Like it or not, the rush to pray, call for peaceful protest and willingness to get in the middle of angry crowds by Mayor Sly James likely prevented a more angry Kansas City response to historic Missouri anti-police riots. 

Going forward . . . This tactic is important to remember given that campaign 2024 presidential politics currently incites tempers across the nation.

Developing . . .