KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas and KCPD Chief Rick Smith held a press conference Sunday to address protests that turned to civil unrest Saturday night in the city.
Protesters gathered at the Country Club Plaza early Saturday afternoon peacefully, but as the sun went down, the protests got more violent.
Projectiles were hurled at police and through business windows, stores were looted and protesters were tear gassed and pepper sprayed.
In response to the unrest, Mayor Lucas instituted a curfew for the Plaza, Westport, downtown and Kansas City parks that will start at 8 p.m. Sunday and end 6 a.m. Monday.
Those who live in the neighborhoods should stay in their homes and everyone else should avoid the areas.
Lucas said he supports peaceful protest and how the demonstration began Saturday.
"We welcome that, we want to hear that," he said.
He did condemn the destruction, looting and violence against officers.
"That's not what this is about. What this is about is making sure that we can find justice and build justice in our community," Lucas said. "Let us hear your voices. Let us wake up on Monday morning and hear and see news footage of people who made great points."
He said the news Sunday morning was all about broken glass, and that's not what Kansas City is about.
Lucas said 85 people were arrested during the protests and several demonstrators and officers were hurt.
"None of that needed to happen and we don't want to see any of that happen today or tonight," he said.
He even gave our his personal cell number and said to call him so he can get things done.
"You know what, I'm a black man in America, too, so I understand a lot of it," Lucas said.
The Missouri National Guard, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Olathe Police Department and other Missouri and Kansas agencies will continue to support KCPD as protests resume Sunday.
Chief Smith said two KCPD officers were in the hospital due to projectiles thrown at police. One had a lacerated liver and another was hit in the head.
He went on to say that he asked every officer who worked the protest if they had been hit by a projectile, and every single one said they had been assaulted in some way.
"We want to be involved and we want people's voices heard. We are happy to do it. It's part of our job and we like to do it," the chief said. "Stop destroying our community. Stop destroying our reputation as a community."
Several press conference attendees questioned the use of tear gas on the protesters.
"I was there. I saw the frozen water bottles that were being thrown at police officers. I saw the rocks that were being thrown at police officers," Lucas said. "I'm not going to stand here right now and say that everything was perfect about the response. I'm not going to stand here and say everything was terrible either."
Both the mayor and the chief plan to review everything that transpired and make sure law enforcement was in the right.
Smith said if people were peaceful and police asked them to disperse once things were being thrown, they would have left. Those who were caught in the gas were warned to leave or it would be used.
They are working on the response as protests are planned to continue Sunday afternoon.
"We're planning for some of the same things. I hope and pray Kansas City will do better today," Smith said.
Mayor Lucas will hold a Facebook live Monday at 6 p.m. to talk to the community and answer questions.
