Protests Turn Violent Over Weekend

Protests over the killing of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis last week turned violent Saturday and yesterday in Kansas City.

The demonstrators were initially gathered in the Country Club Plaza on Saturday afternoon, were diverted to the Westport area and then moved back to the Plaza. That evening, a police cruiser was set on fire, and other damage was reported.

Last night thousands gathered starting in Midtown and moved their way back to the Plaza, where the situation turned violent after 8 p.m., which is when Mayor Quinton Lucas imposed a curfew. Protesters confronted police, throwing rocks and water bottles, and authorities reportedly responded with rubber bullets and tear gas.

The Plaza will remain closed on Monday as damage to stores is assessed.

All of this took place as city businesses were starting to reopen in the wake of COVID-19 stay-at-home orders.