March 13th 2024.
In a groundbreaking move, three Black women have filed a federal lawsuit against the state of Missouri, challenging their control over the Kansas City Police Department. These women believe that the current arrangement perpetuates systemic racism and denies equal rights to Black citizens. The lawsuit points to the original law, dating back to 1861, which was formed with the intention of keeping Black people enslaved and denying them basic human rights and dignity, according to KCUR.
The lawsuit, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri, also claims that the governance structure of the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners is a deliberate attempt to keep slavery legal and keep Black people in chains. KCUR reports that this lawsuit exposes a controversial arrangement that was put in place during the Civil War era, which allowed the Confederacy to control the city and its weapons.
One of the plaintiffs, Narene Crosby, lost her son Ryan Stokes in 2013 at the hands of the KCPD. She stated, "My family has not received any apology, accountability, or justice. They took my only son and then brushed it off as a 'tragic mistake'." The lawsuit also references the 1861 law that enabled state control of the police force, claiming that the legislators were fully aware that this law would be used to discriminate against Black people and keep them enslaved.
The plaintiffs argue that KCPD operates with impunity, with no accountability to the community they serve. They note that unlike Jackson County residents who can vote for their sheriff, the citizens of Kansas City have no say in the leadership of their police force. This disparity is a direct result of the governor appointing four seats on the police board, while the mayor holds the fifth and final position, according to KCUR.
It is worth noting that Kansas City is the only city in the United States that lacks local jurisdiction over its police force. This is a direct result of efforts by the Confederacy to control the city and its weapons caches. The current arrangement, where the governor and mayor have the majority of seats on the police board, is a clear example of how this historical influence still impacts the city today.
In light of recent events, such as the shooting of an unarmed pregnant Black woman suspected in a carjacking, this lawsuit serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight against systemic racism and inequality. The plaintiffs are determined to bring about change and hold those in power accountable for their actions.
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