Forgot my gas mask for the Plaza Protest attended

Posted on: June 2, 2020 at 10:40:04 CT

It struck me as a weird mix of a Festevarian/Rainbow Gathering Decency replete with stacks of water and snack folks volunteered for the effort all of it with a tense urban dis-ease vibe never far below the surface. By far, good decent kind people were in the majority. KC cops stood ram-rod straight in a militaristic line 6-8 feet from the curb and sidewalk. I stepped off once to see and immediately a decent enough cop told me 'back up on the curb".

I met and spoke with the Mayor Quentin Lucas who stood for some time with a police captain - applauding and urging peace. Some youthful protestors yelled at then about the gas the night before and the Captain said yelling gets us nowhere but dialogue does. The Mayor, Police Captain and most in the crowd took a knee for moment. That was very cool. The mayor reminded me to vote today.

Chants of "HANDS UP - DON'T SHOOT" rang out often as did did "BLACK LIVES MATTER" Pretty active and boisterous. At one point the crowd rushed to the East. I said what/ Cops had arrested someone and the crowd rushed in support.

I gave the effort about 3 hours, opting out of the March. Seems that if all the Peaceful Folks which comprise the VAST majority would perhaps disband before dark and leave ONLY the violent extremists and trouble makers, I imagine they would not show or disband too as as their cover would be blown. I am glad took the effort.