KANSAS CITY, Mo. — For the fourth straight day, demonstrators continued an occupation-style protest in front of the Kansas City, Missouri, City Hall Monday.
They've spent the last four days on the lawn, even staying inside tents overnight as part of their protest.
They are calling for several demands after a controversial video showing a KCPD officer arresting a pregnant woman went viral on social media last week.
"We are not just reactive to this; we are proactive in making sure that things like this don't continue to happen in our city," said protester Rachel Hudson.
In the video, KCPD Officer Newton appears to be kneeling on the woman's back and protesters say the actions by the officer were excessive.
The protestors said they will not leave the front lawn of city hall until their demands are met.
"Our occupation will continue until Chief Rick Smith is fired for his gross injustice," Hudson said. "That there be a 50 percent divestment into the $273 million in police budget."
Today local attorney Stacy Shaw, who is representing the woman in the video, said she is filing a lawsuit against the officer and KCPD.
"She is deeply traumatized. She is in a lot of physical pain," Shaw said. "So we are absolutely seeking civil damages against the officer."
Shaw also said they are going to seek recovery from the KCPD.
KCMO Mayor Quinton Lucas spoke to UMKC students about the future of policing in the city on Monday. He said these demands can't be met overnight.
"I don't know if the board of police commissioners will call a public vote. I have not heard a discussion with this. There are regular reviews of the chief's performance. Every incident, every situation that is something subject for review," said Lucas.
Protesters said they are not going anywhere anytime soon.
"They would have to forcibly remove us and we would forcibly come back until are demands are met," Hudson said.
Shaw said her client and her baby are doing fine. She plans to have a press conference on Tuesday in front of city hall.
—
