KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Rallies in support of Michael Brown took place in cities all across the country Thursday night, including in KC at the Country Club Plaza. Another gathering for a peaceful demonstration is planned for Friday night downtown.
Protesters are coming together to not only mourn the loss of a young life, but to cry for an end to police brutality. Besides holding signs and chanting in unity, they are also signing a petition to make real change
Hundreds of people of all ages and races filled the park near the J.C. Nichols Fountain on the Plaza Thursday night, holding signs and chanting “hands up, don’t shoot.” Those are the words witnesses say Brown said right before a police officer shot and killed him.
Many are upset Brown was not armed when he was killed, and they passed around a petition Thursday night demanding Congress pass a law to make it a federal offense for an officer to shoot a person as they are running away.
The rally was peaceful, and while officers were on hand, they stayed in the background. It was also one of more than 100 rallies held nationwide in support of Brown, hoping their unified voice will cause real change.
“I don’t necessarily think the rioting actions of burning down businesses and breaking into businesses and stealing stuff. that they’re doing in Ferguson and St. Louis right now is going to make a change, but it is a noise,” protester Jasmine York said.
There will be another rally Friday night, this one at Ilus Davis Park at 8th and Oak. It will begin at 7p.m. and it is being organized by Occupy KC, which is asking people to bring balloons, signs, drums, and Chinese lanterns. Organizers want this rally to be peaceful as well.
