Black leaders in Kansas City seek police chief’s resignation

by: Margaret Stafford, Heather Hollingsworth, The Associated Press

Posted: Jun 4, 2020 / 04:25 AM CDT / Updated: Jun 4, 2020 / 04:26 AM CDT

A motorist gets a fist bump from a passing protester as a demonstration shuts down a highway Wednesday, June 3, 2020, in St. Charles, Mo. Several hundred protesters gathered to speak out against the death of George Floyd, who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers May 25. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Civil rights organizations and a group of mostly black pastors are demanding change in how Kansas City police treat black citizens.

The Urban League of Greater Kansas City, the NAACP’s Kansas City, Missouri branch, and More2 on Wednesday called for Kansas City Police Chief Rick Smith to resign. They also called for several changes in how the city oversees the police department.

The group of pastors made similar demands earlier Wednesday, although they did not call for Smith’s resignation.

The complaints come after Kansas City endured five days of protests over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.