Community Comes Together to Clean Up Statue of Fallen Officer

The community in Kansas City, Missouri, came together on Saturday to show support and clean up a statue of a fallen officer after 150 protesters from the night before allegedly vandalized it.

The Kansas City Star reported that 11 people were arrested in the protest.

The scene was disheartening for the many volunteers who agreed to help clean up and support law enforcement, but they came out in full force.

“I was horrified,” Joshua McDonald told KMBC. “It is hard for me to understand why people want to come through, and they want to desecrate a memorial to officers who have fallen defending them.”

The Kansas City Police Department said the statue honors 119 KCPD officers who gave their lives protecting the city.

After the protests, Mayor Quinton Lucas posted on Twitter that he was “saddened” by the vandalism to the city’s monuments.

Just got back from downtown. Saddened to see the efforts tonight by those working their hardest to distort and distract.

— Mayor Q (@QuintonLucasKC) July 18, 2020

Several people gathered outside police headquarters Saturday morning to show support for law enforcement and to help clean off the spray paint.

After vandals caused damage last night, people showed up to pray, others just wanted to say “hi”. We are here to serve all, no matter what tonight and every night. For Kansas City, we are out there #stillserving pic.twitter.com/TeY7gXFdfC

— kcpolice (@kcpolice) July 19, 2020

Professional crews are responding this morning for cleanup of this vandalism. We appreciate anyone that wishes to come by and show support but additional cleanup supplies are not necessary. To the people wanting to help and support we are very thankful for you! #stillserving pic.twitter.com/dFCGJll2Qi

— kcpolice (@kcpolice) July 18, 2020

Outside the headquarters on Saturday, Lucas reiterated his disappointment with the previous night’s protests and felt those responsible were using the Black Lives Matter movement for their own purpose.

“I think the type of person who comes here and paints a memorial to deceased people who died in the line of duty is the type of person who has no respect for any institution,” Lucas said. “They’re not interested in making black lives better in Kansas City.”