KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City, Missouri, police and Mayor Quinton Lucas complimented protesters who gathered Tuesday night for protests near the Country Club Plaza.
It was the fifth night of protests in the area, and appeared to be the most peaceful.
KCPD spokesperson Sgt. Jacob Becchina said it was, "our best night yet, by far."
Though the group of protesters were out later into the night than they had been, there were fewer altercations between the group and police.
According to KCPD, 150 to 200 protesters remained around midnight and officers remained lined up near Emanuel Cleaver II Boulevard and J.C. Nichols Parkway. A group of 40 to 50 protesters lined up opposite the police in the street, and there was some tension and some protesters threw objects.
KCPD said the officers on that line stepped back and moved to a secondary location and the protesters moved back into the park and most left at that point.
No tear gas was deployed Tuesday night, according to police, and there were 25 arrests.
Monday night alone 50 people were arrested.
All arrests have been local residents.
Becchina said the night began with prayers for both officers and protesters from the faith community.
"It was a great showing of unity from some of the most influential members of our community," he said in a statement.
Mayor Quinton Lucas seemed to agree with the sentiment, tweeting about the night in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
"From what I have heard, last evening was the calmest night thus far of protests with the beginning of efforts to de-escalate. I am glad to see it. I will get a full report at daybreak, but I expect the progress we see tonight to continue," he wrote.
I know there will still be concerns and we will hear them and address them. There are improvements that can be made further no doubt, but my hope is more communication and less escalation can help important messages about justice be centered and amplified.
— Mayor Q (@QuintonLucasKC) June 3, 2020
Lucas has repeatedly encouraged protesters to remain peaceful and let their message be heard without altercation.
KCPD will host a Unity March Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
