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Time of India
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'Proactive approach': Missouri governor declares state of emergency amid anti-ICE protest; activates national guard
Missouri governor Mike Kehoe, a Republican, has declared a state of emergency and activated the state's National Guard. He said this is a precautionary move to prepare for possible protests in Missouri and because of unrest happening in other parts of the country. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Kehoe signed an executive order, which gives the head of the National Guard, known as the Adjutant General, permission to send troops and use necessary equipment to help state and local law enforcement if needed, The Hill reported. Missouri officials have also set up a Unified Command made up of the State Highway Patrol, National Guard, and Department of Public Safety to monitor situations across the state. Governor Kehoe said the order was not meant to stop peaceful protests. "We respect, and will defend, the right to peacefully protest, but we will not tolerate violence or lawlessness in our state," the governor said. "While other states may wait for chaos to ensue, the State of Missouri is taking a proactive approach in the event that assistance is needed to support local law enforcement in protecting our citizens and communities," he added. Some officials and groups have criticised the governor's action. Kansas City mayor Quinton Lucas said he is concerned the state is focusing more on some protesters than others. "Mayor Lucas is concerned with enhanced state enforcement for one set of protestors, but no action or aid to local law enforcement when Neo-Nazis march through Missouri's urban streets," his office said in a statement. "The Mayor has confidence in responsible protestors to use their First Amendment rights peacefully and in compliance with the law. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now More than one thousand Kansas Citians protested peacefully and responsibly just days ago." "For those who do not act responsibly, the Mayor stands by the women and men of local law enforcement at KCPD and other agencies to handle any necessary enforcement actions. Unnecessary escalation from our nation's capital and state capitals undermines local law enforcement and makes all less safe." Missouri House Minority Leader Ashley Aune also criticized the move, saying it could make the situation worse. "Governor Kehoe's preemptive declaration of a state of emergency as Missourians prepare to protest an increasingly authoritarian presidential administration is a blatant attempt to intimidate and suppress First Amendment rights," she said. "The protests planned this weekend across Missouri and throughout the nation were sparked by the president's unwarranted and heavy-handed military response to opposition to his policies. By doing the same, the governor will only heighten tensions and increase the possibility of conflict. Governor Kehoe should staunchly defend the rights of Missourians, not mimic the authoritarianism of the president." The American Civil Liberties Union also condemned the governor's action. "Governor Kehoe's decision to activate Missouri's National Guard serves as an unnecessary provocation to thwart public dissent," the ACLU said. "The right for people to join in protests or peaceful assembly is core to the First Amendment, and critical to a functioning democracy. Government and law enforcement officials have the moral and constitutional responsibility to stop the escalation, practice restraint, and allow Missourians to exercise this foundational right." "It is critical that Missourians who plan on attending know and educate others of their rights around protests and police interactions," the statement continued. "We emphasise attendees to prioritize de-escalation, even in moments of governmental provocation and fear-mongering, and to lookout for one another." Mayor Lucas also posted on social media after California Senator Alex Padilla was handcuffed at a press conference. "One of our few Latino senators tries to ask a question of a cabinet secretary over whom he has oversight responsibility, and is placed in handcuffs on the ground. Shameful," he wrote. Other officials supported the governor's move. US Representative Mark Alford said Missouri would not tolerate riots. "We support the first amendment right of every Missourian to peacefully demonstrate, but violence and riots will NOT be tolerated in the Show Me State," he said. Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey also praised Kehoe for acting early. He thanked the governor for "taking preemptive measures to ensure the lawlessness we've seen across our country does not reach our state." In California, protests have been growing after President Trump sent thousands of National Guard troops and hundreds of Marines to Los Angeles in response to opposition to his immigration policies.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Missouri governor activates National Guard, declares state of emergency
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe (R) on Thursday declared a state of emergency and activated the state's National Guard in anticipation of protests across the state — and in response to 'civil unrest' across the country. Missouri Executive Order 25-25 declares a State of Emergency and allows the Adjutant General to order service members to aid state officials. The order comes after the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Missouri National Guard and Missouri Department of Public Safety established a Unified Command to monitor situations across the state and prepare local law enforcement. Additionally, the order also declares that the Adjutant General may employ necessary equipment to support authorities and provide assistance. While nationwide protests continue to flare up in response to the Trump administration's immigration policies, Kehoe said his order is purely precautionary. 'We respect, and will defend, the right to peacefully protest, but we will not tolerate violence or lawlessness in our state,' the governor said. 'While other states may wait for chaos to ensue, the State of Missouri is taking a proactive approach in the event that assistance is needed to support local law enforcement in protecting our citizens and communities,' he added. To read Kehoe's full order, click here. Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas' Office shared a statement Thursday regarding the mayor's concerns about Gov. Kehoe's decision. 'Mayor Lucas is concerned with enhanced state enforcement for one set of protestors, but no action or aid to local law enforcement when Neo-Nazis march through Missouri's urban streets,' the statement reads. 'The Mayor has confidence in responsible protestors to use their First Amendment rights peacefully and in compliance with the law. More than one thousand Kansas Citians protested peacefully and responsibly just days ago.' 'For those who do not act responsibly, the Mayor stands by the women and men of local law enforcement at KCPD and other agencies to handle any necessary enforcement actions,' it continues. 'Unnecessary escalation from our nation's capital and state capitals undermines local law enforcement and makes all less safe.' Missouri House Minority Leader Ashley Aune (D-Kansas City) also responded Thursday, saying the governor's actions are unwarranted: 'Governor Kehoe's preemptive declaration of a state of emergency as Missourians prepare to protest an increasingly authoritarian presidential administration is a blatant attempt to intimidate and suppress First Amendment rights,' she wrote in a statement. 'The protests planned this weekend across Missouri and throughout the nation were sparked by the president's unwarranted and heavy-handed military response to opposition to his policies,' the state lawmaker added. 'By doing the same, the governor will only heighten tensions and increase the possibility of conflict. Governor Kehoe should staunchly defend the rights of Missourians, not mimic the authoritarianism of the president.' The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) too condemned the governor's actions, calling it an 'unnecessary provocation.' 'Governor Kehoe's decision to activate Missouri's National Guard serves as an unnecessary provocation to thwart public dissent,' the ACLU wrote. 'The right for people to join in protests or peaceful assembly is core to the First Amendment, and critical to a functioning democracy. Government and law enforcement officials have the moral and constitutional responsibility to stop the escalation, practice restraint, and allow Missourians to exercise this foundational right.' 'It is critical that Missourians who plan on attending know and educate others of their rights around protests and police interactions,' the union added. 'We emphasize attendees to prioritize de-escalation, even in moments of governmental provocation and fear-mongering, and to lookout for one another.' Lucas also posted on social platform X after California Sen. Alex Padilla (D) was forcibly removed from a press conference on Thursday. 'One of our few Latino senators tries to ask a question of a cabinet secretary over whom he has oversight responsibility, and is placed in handcuffs on the ground. Shameful,' he wrote. Other state officials have commended Kehoe for his actions. U.S. Rep. Mark Alford (R-Mo.) said the governor is sending a strong message. 'We support the first amendment right of every Missourian to peacefully demonstrate, but violence and riots will NOT be tolerated in the Show Me State,' Alford wrote on x. Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey thanked Kehoe for 'taking preemptive measures to ensure the lawlessness we've seen across our country does not reach our state.' 'We will not allow what is going on in LA to happen in Missouri,' Bailey wrote on X. On President Trump's order, thousands of National Guard troops and hundreds of Marines were deployed to Los Angeles following protests in response to the administration's enforcement of immigration laws. This has prompted Los Angeles officials to enforce curfews. Gov. Gavin Newsom accused the president of abusing his authority. In addition to protests nationwide, activists are also planning 'No Kings' events across the country Saturday to coincide with the president's planned military parade in Washington. In Kansas City, a 'No Kings Rally' will be held Saturday at the Country Club Plaza from noon to 3 p.m. Texas has also readied roughly 5,000 National Guard troops ahead of expected protests. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
13-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Missouri governor activates National Guard, declares state of emergency
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe (R) on Thursday declared a state of emergency and activated the state's National Guard in anticipation of protests across the state — and in response to 'civil unrest' across the country. Missouri Executive Order 25-25 declares a State of Emergency and allows the Adjutant General to order service members to aid state officials. The order comes after the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Missouri National Guard and Missouri Department of Public Safety established a Unified Command to monitor situations across the state and prepare local law enforcement. Additionally, the order also declares that the Adjutant General may employ necessary equipment to support authorities and provide assistance. While nationwide protests continue to flare up in response to the Trump administration's immigration policies, Kehoe said his order is purely precautionary. 'We respect, and will defend, the right to peacefully protest, but we will not tolerate violence or lawlessness in our state,' the governor said. 'While other states may wait for chaos to ensue, the State of Missouri is taking a proactive approach in the event that assistance is needed to support local law enforcement in protecting our citizens and communities,' he added. To read Kehoe's full order, click here. Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas' Office shared a statement Thursday regarding the mayor's concerns about Gov. Kehoe's decision. 'Mayor Lucas is concerned with enhanced state enforcement for one set of protestors, but no action or aid to local law enforcement when Neo-Nazis march through Missouri's urban streets,' the statement reads. 'The Mayor has confidence in responsible protestors to use their First Amendment rights peacefully and in compliance with the law. More than one thousand Kansas Citians protested peacefully and responsibly just days ago.' 'For those who do not act responsibly, the Mayor stands by the women and men of local law enforcement at KCPD and other agencies to handle any necessary enforcement actions,' it continues. 'Unnecessary escalation from our nation's capital and state capitals undermines local law enforcement and makes all less safe.' Missouri House Minority Leader Ashley Aune (D-Kansas City) also responded Thursday, saying the governor's actions are unwarranted: 'Governor Kehoe's preemptive declaration of a state of emergency as Missourians prepare to protest an increasingly authoritarian presidential administration is a blatant attempt to intimidate and suppress First Amendment rights,' she wrote in a statement. 'The protests planned this weekend across Missouri and throughout the nation were sparked by the president's unwarranted and heavy-handed military response to opposition to his policies,' the state lawmaker added. 'By doing the same, the governor will only heighten tensions and increase the possibility of conflict. Governor Kehoe should staunchly defend the rights of Missourians, not mimic the authoritarianism of the president.' The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) too condemned the governor's actions, calling it an 'unnecessary provocation.' 'Governor Kehoe's decision to activate Missouri's National Guard serves as an unnecessary provocation to thwart public dissent,' the ACLU wrote. 'The right for people to join in protests or peaceful assembly is core to the First Amendment, and critical to a functioning democracy. Government and law enforcement officials have the moral and constitutional responsibility to stop the escalation, practice restraint, and allow Missourians to exercise this foundational right.' 'It is critical that Missourians who plan on attending know and educate others of their rights around protests and police interactions,' the union added. 'We emphasize attendees to prioritize de-escalation, even in moments of governmental provocation and fear-mongering, and to lookout for one another.' Lucas also posted on social platform X after California Sen. Alex Padilla (D) was forcibly removed from a press conference on Thursday. 'One of our few Latino senators tries to ask a question of a cabinet secretary over whom he has oversight responsibility, and is placed in handcuffs on the ground. Shameful,' he wrote. Other state officials have commended Kehoe for his actions. U.S. Rep. Mark Alford (R-Mo.) said the governor is sending a strong message. 'We support the first amendment right of every Missourian to peacefully demonstrate, but violence and riots will NOT be tolerated in the Show Me State,' Alford wrote on x. Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey thanked Kehoe for 'taking preemptive measures to ensure the lawlessness we've seen across our country does not reach our state.' 'We will not allow what is going on in LA to happen in Missouri,' Bailey wrote on X. On President Trump's order, thousands of National Guard troops and hundreds of Marines were deployed to Los Angeles following protests in response to the administration's enforcement of immigration laws. This has prompted Los Angeles officials to enforce curfews. Gov. Gavin Newsom accused the president of abusing his authority. In addition to protests nationwide, activists are also planning 'No Kings' events across the country Saturday to coincide with the president's planned military parade in Washington. In Kansas City, a 'No Kings Rally' will be held Saturday at the Country Club Plaza from noon to 3 p.m. Texas has also readied roughly 5,000 National Guard troops ahead of expected protests. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Council authorizes KC Current to negotiate park along levee near CPKC
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City City Council unanimously gave new City Manager Mario Vazquez the go-ahead to begin negotiations Thursday with the Kansas City Current and developers on a new park along the levee at Berkley Riverfront Park. There's a quick timeline for the project. The city wants the project done in time for the World Cup at no cost to the city. Legislator Manny Abarca pleads not guilty to domestic battery charges in Johnson County People already enjoying the walkways along the Berkley Riverfront have watched the area transform before their eyes over the past few years. New additions include apartments, CPKC Stadium, a hotel and a mixed-use riverfront district under construction. 'I moved from the Northland, and it's really nice to be along the river and all these walking paths,' Katelyn Banning said. 'This used to be kind of the festival grounds. So seeing it come back to life is really exciting for me. I've always been in the KC area really looking forward to it, especially with the streetcar too and 2026 with all the soccer coming this way it's going to be awesome. I'm really excited,' Shelby Richardson said. With an eye toward the World Cup now just one year away, the Kansas City Current announced this week plans for a new levee park. But since it's city land, it needs city approval. 'I think this is a long way from what the riverfront used to be, so I commend our developers and who have worked in connection with this,' Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said before Thursday's vote. Renderings show Levee Park with native plants, curated landscaping and new trails and an overlook taking joggers and outdoor enthusiasts safely closer to the water. Besides other amenities like children's play areas and performance spaces, there's one other favorite part of the deal for Kansas City lawmakers. Royals doubleheader recap: Jac Caglianone debut, hot bats, more 'The city desires to grant an easement and enter into an agreement to secure the improvements at no cost to the city. Let's see how many times I can say at no cost to the city,' Councilwoman Andrea Bough joked, completing a summary of the plan that pointed out several times the city won't pay for the park. 'This is something that we would love to do, but it would have cost too much for us to do it. So this is a great way to get a project done that we don't have to invest money into, and yet it's going to have a great impact on the city.' Kansas City Current's owners, Angie and Chris Long, who will pay for the park, said in a statement, 'By transforming this unused space into a beautiful new community asset, we hope to inspire Kansas Citians to engage with the water in ways we haven't yet imagined.' The agreement that will now be negotiated calls for the Kansas City Current and developers to operate and maintain the park for the next 50 years. Once negotiations are finalized, park developers will still need to get Army Corps of Engineers approval as they work to get the project done by the World Cup next summer. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Yahoo
A memorial for a Pendergast? The legacy of ‘Big Jim' in Kansas City
What's Your KCQ is a collaboration between The Star and the Kansas City Public Library series that answers your questions about the history, people, places and culture that make Kansas City unique. Have a suggestion for a future story? Share it with us here, or email our journalists at KCQ@ The Pendergast name carries different meanings in Kansas City. For some residents, it recalls the freewheeling 'Paris of the Plains' era, when Boss Tom's machine kept liquor flowing and nightclubs thriving, giving rise to the city's distinct style of jazz. For others who value open governance and respect for law and order, it remains a symbol of corruption and political patronage. Today, most Kansas Citians seem drawn to the city's more colorful past. While that image fits well with throwbacks to its seedier side, it hardly seems like something the city would officially memorialize in a public place. That's why a KCQ reader found it odd to see the Pendergast name on a statue in West Terrace Park — and was even more surprised to learn it honored James Pendergast, not Tom as they had anticipated. The plaques on the monument offered only vague details, describing him as the 'embodiment of truth' — also unanticipated — leaving the reader wondering who James Pendergast was and why the city chose to memorialize him. The Pendergast name didn't always carry the same weight in Kansas City. Reporting on the apprehension of an accused murderer in its June 21, 1883, edition, The Kansas City Journal noted that the suspect had been found in a West Bottoms hotel kept by 'a man named Pendergast.' The local press — and the city at large — would soon learn exactly who that man was. Born in Ohio in 1856 to recent Irish immigrants, James Pendergast's family later settled in St. Joseph. After the completion of the Hannibal Bridge in 1869, Kansas City's booming West Bottoms offered plenty of work in packing houses and iron foundries. Pendergast answered the call, arriving in 1876. 'Big Jim,' as he came to be known, quickly built a reputation as a hard-working and trustworthy laborer. Years later, Fire Department Chief George Hale described him as a 'fine-looking, husky lad, steady as a church and careful of money.' Local lore claims that Pendergast made a small fortune by betting on a horse named Climax. True or not, his rapid rise was apparent. Around 1880, he went from working as a 'helper' at the D.M. Jarboe & Company foundry to serving as proprietor of the American House hotel, which he later renamed the Pendergast House. He also entered the saloon business, and opened The Climax — said to be named after the horse that launched his rise — on the same block as his hotel. Pendergast thrived in business, expanding his real estate holdings and opening new establishments, including a saloon at Fifth and Main streets. Location was key: His West Bottoms ventures sat near the bustling Union Depot railroad station, while his new saloon stood kitty-corner from the city's second City Hall. From that strategic vantage point, Pendergast set his sights on a new venture — politics. In 1882, he was elected to represent the West Bottoms in the House of Aldermen — the predecessor to today's City Council — a seat he held for 17 years. He became known for his skill at navigating municipal affairs and turning out supporters at the polls, earning him the title of 'Boss.' Pendergast didn't boast of his boss status but didn't shy away from the label. Nor did he apologize for his influence, explaining, 'All there is to it is having friends, doing things for people, and then later on they'll do things for you.' He lived up to those words. As a saloonkeeper, he functioned as a banker for West Bottoms laborers, exchanging paychecks for cash — without cheating them. In 1903, when a flood devastated the city's low-lying areas, Pendergast reportedly personally directed recovery efforts in his ward. As an alderman, he began the Pendergast tradition of securing city jobs for his supporters — but only after sizing them up. Despite an abundance of friends, Pendergast had no shortage of rivals — even within his own party. He led the Goats, named for his First Ward constituents, many of whom lived along the steep bluffs below Quality Hill. In contrast, his chief Democratic rival, Joseph Shannon, led the Rabbits, who drew support from newer neighborhoods southeast of downtown. Their clashes dominated Kansas City's Democratic politics for years. All Republicans, of course, were his opponents. Yet Pendergast was often praised for not letting politics turn personal — except for an 1888 incident at a Republican gathering in a downtown saloon, where he punched a man during a heated dispute and was arrested. Afterward, he became a teetotaler and gained a reputation for helping others struggling to overcome alcoholism — a remarkably selfless turn for a saloonkeeper. His selflessness extended to politics as well. When city officials proposed building a new railroad station on higher ground, safe from flooding, Pendergast supported the move—even though abandoning Union Depot would devastate his West Bottoms businesses. When a local reporter asked why he supported the Union Station vote, he simply replied, 'The public needs it.' Perhaps his most formidable rival was newspaper publisher William Rockhill Nelson. Nelson championed Progressive Era reforms aimed at eliminating poverty, managing the effects of industrialization, assimilating immigrants, and dismantling boss-led politics — putting him naturally at odds with Pendergast. When one of Nelson's reporters asked Pendergast in 1908 about his biggest election obstacle, he growled, 'You know … it will be The Kansas City Star-r-r-r.' In poor health, Pendergast retired from politics in 1910 and died a year later at age 55. Friendlier newspapers covered his life and funeral — then one of the largest in the city's history — in greater detail, but even The Star conceded he would be remembered as 'the man who never broke a promise.' Big Jim's empire was in good hands. Years earlier, he had been joined by his three younger brothers, including a rising Democratic power broker: a young Boss Tom. Democrats and Republicans quickly united around the idea of memorializing Pendergast. They chose a site in Mulkey Square Park, near 13th and Summit streets where he could watch over the First Ward for a bronze statue and fountain. A sculptor was commissioned, and funds were raised by public subscription. The monument debuted on Independence Day 1913. That July 4, the public gathered to see a bronze likeness of Pendergast seated atop a granite base. Beside him stood two children, also cast in bronze, holding water basins that served as fountains — a nod to his charitable nature. Tom's daughter, Marceline, pulled a cord to remove the cloth covering the statue, while a giant American flag served as a backdrop. A camera crew filmed the ceremony and the speeches from local dignitaries, later charging 10 cents to view the film and boasting, 'You can almost hear them speak!' Unfortunately, the monument faced trouble almost immediately. In 1914, thieves managed to dislodge one of the bronze children and carry it 150 feet before abandoning the 300-pound figure. The child was replaced, but by 1915, both figures had been stolen — and the fountain features were never restored. The local press debated whether the culprits were metal thieves or worse — Republicans. Pendergast sat alone until the city replaced the missing figures from the original casts in 1919. However, starting in the 1930s, thieves unwilling to move the heavy statues began sawing off the children's limbs piece by piece. During the construction of Interstate 670 in the late 1960s, the monument was relocated within the park. By 1976, both children were gone again. Big Jim, too heavy to steal and too thick to saw through, endured decades of vandalism. By 1990, when the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners voted to restore the memorial, it bore a hacksaw gash in its neck, remnants of roofing tar that had been poured over its head, silver paint over its eyes, dried egg stains, initials carved into the granite base, and a hole — possibly from a bullet — in its backside. Along with approving restoration work, the parks board authorized moving the statue from its isolated spot in Mulkey Square to West Terrace Park. A Friends of Jim Pendergast organization, joined by local Irish clubs and labor organizations, helped fundraise for the restoration and commissioned local sculptor Tom Corbin to recreate the missing children — proving that Big Jim still has plenty of friends in Kansas City and that the Pendergast name means more than corruption and vice. Big Jim continues to watch over his beloved West Bottoms from his new vantage point.
