An EPIC protest on Kansas City streets last night dominated mainstream media coverage but ultimately represents more FAIL to really understand this organized labor movement from a LOCAL grassroots and historical perspective.
Accordingly and with a great deal of appreciation . . .
RIGHT NOW WE'VE GOT AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH ONE OF THE LEAD PROTESTERS OFFERING INSIDE INFO ON THE RALLY AND ARREST AFTERMATH!!!
Here are the important quotes that offer some insight into the march and subsequent sit-in from the Kansas City street level . . .
"This is the biggest event of civil disobedience arrest that I can think of in all of my twenty years here. We, KC, are boasting the largest arrested number yesterday for any city in the nation."
This historical significance of this protest goes back further than that actually . . . MSM reports more than 100 arrests and that's far more incarcerations than any social justice cause has ever garnered in Kansas City history since the long ago Civil Rights Era. There have been a few house parties gone wrong that might have come close to that number but no protests attempting to push forward a cause.
More description . . .
"We were probably in the street for 2 hours. I was among the last few arrested. I think they were slow to arrest us, maybe thinking that a few of us would tire and get up and leave. People were still getting out at 4AM. So, essentially that intersection was shut down for a couple of hours. It happens to be in front of McDonald's and Wendy's... So they were also essentially shut down."
And that leads us to another fun fact . . .
TKC EXCLUSIVE: ALL OF THE KANSAS CITY PROTESTERS WERE BAILED OUT BY ORGANIZED LABOR LEADERS!!!
Last time around there was a crowd funding effort in the midst of police charges and fines. This EPIC protest seemed much more precisely organized supported by local union leaders.
"They paid for everyone and went to each station with attorneys and bonds agents."
About the protesters and the unique cross-section of Kansas City residents willing to march and sit-in on local streets:
"There were people who were in their twenties to their seventies/ eighties... Black, brown, white and Asian. Let's just say that the jail demographics have never been as diverse as they were last night."
Finally, a mention of the national connection to this protest movement and nicer local gear that all of the sports fanboys claiming KC . . .
"Terrence Wise was among the first in the nation to be arrested yesterday. Representing a small delegation of workers from all over the nation who started the civil disobedience at 6AM. Terrence Wise is the face of the movement internationally, he met with Obama, he's represented us overseas and all over the nation but he's not getting enough local attention. We think he's a rock star."
Post script . . . Jackson County Sheriff Mike Sharp was also part of the law enforcement crew dealing with protesters. Just to show the real nature of the demonstration beyond partisan rhetoric. A source says:
"He was working the crowd like he was campaigning. Unions get guys like Sharp elected. Lots of people who got arrested are big union folks, UAW, SEIU, ETC."
As with everything, the political perspective from insiders helps to shed more light on what really happened along with the Kansas City consequences for the future.
More links on the topic . . .
KCUR: At Least 100 Arrested In Kansas City's 'Fight For $15' Rally
Fox4KC: Police arrest dozens during Kansas City protest to increase fast food workers’ minimum wage to $15
KMBC: Police arrest dozens at peaceful protest for higher minimum wage
You decide . . .
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