Police Department Reform Demands | Naming Kansas City's Killed

By Steve Kraske,

Danie Alexander, Elizabeth Ruiz, Mackenzie Martin, Chris Young

Published June 5, 2020 at 3:23 PM CDT

Black Lives Matter protesters hold signs bearing the names of black men who have died in Kansas City from confrontations with police. — Nareen Stokes, whose son Ryan Stokes was killed by a Kansas City Police Department officer, talks about her son at a May 31 Black Lives Matter protest on the Plaza.

Segment 1, beginning at 3:39: How civil rights groups would reform the police

A coalition of civil rights groups in Kansas City called for the resignation of police Chief Rick Smith, among other reforms, including local control of the police department.

Gwen Grant, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Kansas City

Segment 2, beginning at 37:04: Kansas City has its own list of black men killed by the police.

Ryan Stokes, Terrence Bridges, Cameron Lamb and Donnie Sanders are some of the names remembered by people at Kansas City's recent Black Lives Matter protests. Glenn Rice, who has spent years covering the Kansas City police, recounted the history of violence between the police and black men in Kansas City.

Glenn Rice, crime and courts reporter for The Kansas City Star

Corrected: November 3, 2022 at 12:33 PM CDT

This story originally misspelled the name of Terrence Bridges.

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Up To Date Talk Show Up to Date protests Kansas City Missouri (KCMO)Black Lives Matter Kansas City Chief of Police Urban League of Greater KC violence criminal justice reform Chief Rick Smith Ryan Stokes African Americans police Gwen Grant Police shootings

Steve Kraske

When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.

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Danie Alexander

As senior producer of Up To Date, I want our listeners to hear familiar and new voices that shine light on the issues and challenges facing the myriad communities KCUR serves, and to expose our audiences to the wonderful and the creative in the Kansas City area. Just as important to me is an obligation to mentor the next generation of producers to ensure that the important conversations continue. Reach me at alexanderdk@kcur.org.

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Elizabeth Ruiz

When you listen to Up To Date, I want you to understand decisions being made in the city, feel inspired by community members, and empathize with people who've had different experiences. As an Up To Date producer, I connect you to the news through conversations with community members and elected officials. Contact me at elizabeth@kcur.org or on Twitter at @er_bentley_ruiz.

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Mackenzie Martin

As senior podcast producer for KCUR Studios and a host of A People’s History of Kansas City, I interview everyday people and dig through old newspaper articles to unearth stories of the visionaries and renegades who created this region. I focus on bringing the past to life, so we can all better understand the city we live in today. Email me at mackenzie@kcur.org.

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Chris Young

Chris Young is an Assistant Producer for KCUR’s Up To Date. Contact him at chrisy@kcur.org.

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