Around 100 activists gathered outside the Ward Parkway Center in Kansas City Sunday for the one-year anniversary of the fatal police shooting of Ferguson, Missouri teen Michael Brown.
Social justice organization One Struggle KC organized the event in Brown's memory, but also to call attention to black citizens who have been killed in the Kansas City metro.
The group marched around the mall to 85th Terrace and State Line Road where they taped off the intersection and several members laid on the ground after being mock shot by water guns.
About a dozen police and mounted patrolmen ended up arresting four of the activists for not moving from the street. There was a tense standoff for about 15 minutes afterwards until protesters marched away from the intersection.
One Struggle co-founder Diane Burkholder says the group is outraged at the police shootings of Ryan Stokes and Javon Hawkins by the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department.
"People think Kansas City is unique, and unfortunately Kansas City is not unique," Burkholder said. "There's been no official discussion of [Hawkins' death] from the KCPD and Chief Darryl Forté has ignored the issue."
The protestors also took time to eulogize 25 black women who have either been killed by police or found dead in police custody. Rekia Boyd, Sandra Bland and Alexia Christian were just a few that were mentioned before the march.
The KCPD did not immediately return calls for comment, but Chief Darryl Forté did comment about the protest on Twitter. Here are a few of his Tweets:
.@kcpolice Will not allow dangerous behavior. We will protect you as well as those around you. Lying in street not allowed. Protest safely!
— Darryl Forte' (@sheriffforte) August 9, 2015
.@kcpolice Blocking/obstructing street creating danger to self not tolerated. City citations being issued to several.
— Darryl Forte' (@sheriffforte) August 9, 2015
.@kcpolice Officers have pulled back away from protesters to allow them space. No other issues.
— Darryl Forte' (@sheriffforte) August 9, 2015
