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9:29 — The Minutes That Moved Kansas City

KCUR 89.3 and 41 Action News examine George Floyd’s legacy, one year later.

Photos: A Year Of Protests In Kansas City

KCUR | By Carlos Moreno

Published May 25, 2021 at 11:23 AM CDT

A police officer in riot gear moves toward lingering protesters in the Plaza late on May 30 as police began sweeping people out of the area block by block, sometimes using tear gas to disperse crowds.

On the anniversary of George Floyd's murder, KCUR revisits images from the past year of social unrest and solidarity in Kansas City.

Over the last year, reporters at KCUR have documented the social unrest that followed the murder of George Floyd by then-Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin and the resulting demands for racial justice.

At protests, rallies and events around Kansas City, photojournalists Carlos Moreno and Julie Denesha captured moments of tension, conflict, solidarity and creativity. On the anniversary of Floyd's death, we re-examine these images as part of our ongoing reflection of what's changed — and what hasn't.

A protester sprays a bottle of water toward police who lined Mill Creek Parkway early in the evening on May 30, 2020.

A Kansas City Police officer watches the protest swell in Mill Creek Park on May 30, 2020.

Oluwatoyin Akinmoladun, who organized the May 30, 2020 protest, is comforted by a protester who was in the process of being arrested after stepping on Mill Creek Parkway.

Police use teargas to disperse protesters from Mill Creek Parkway during the May 30 protest last year. — Police use teargas to disperse protesters from Mill Creek Parkway during the May 30, 2020 protest last year.

A protester throws a canister of tear gas back toward police at Mill Creek Park on May 30, 2020 after police tried to disperse the crowd from the area.

052421_cm_YearPhotos — Protestors move onto Ward Parkway late into the evening as police were starting to push them out of the Plaza area late on May 30, 2020.

A massive crowd gathered in Mill Creek Park on Sunday May 31 as part of a Black Lives Matter demonstration. — A massive crowd gathered in Mill Creek Park on Sunday May 31, 2020 as part of a Black Lives Matter demonstration.

Anton Jason Slobodnik gets his friends to wash tear gas out of his eyes in Mill Creek Park on May 31, 2020. Slobodnik, who is an Iraqi war veteran, said the police were not doing their job right.

A protester carries a different message to the demonstration on May 31, 2020 while police line Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd.

Kansas City Police Chief Rick Smith announces that the department has received a donation that'll allow it to purchase body cameras. — Kansas City Police Chief Rick Smith announces that the department has received a donation that'll allow it to purchase body cameras during a June 3, 2020 Unity Rally last year.

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas walks with community members during a June 3 Unity March. — Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas walks with community members during a June 3, 2020 Unity March last year.

A young protester joined a large throng along 63rd Street on June 13 in Brookside to kneel at 2:3 during the “Kneel for Nine” protest to coordinate with the nationwide event to remember George Floyd. Veteran protester Joy Wiekum said that events like this provide “a great ripple effect of people who are listening to their conscience.” — A young protester joined a large throng along 63rd Street on June 13, 2020 in Brookside to kneel at 2:30 during the “Kneel for Nine” protest to coordinate with the nationwide event to remember George Floyd. Veteran protester Joy Wiekum said that events like this provide “a great ripple effect of people who are listening to their conscience.”

Ramon and Alycia Nichols wave to passing and honking motorists supporting participants in the Pray on Troost rally on June 19, 2020. Nichols, whose mother was the late Missouri State Sen. Yvonne Wilson said her mother and father were passionate about social justice and peaceful demonstration. “Communication like this speaks volumes,” she said.

Carlos Moreno — Allison Tappan, 21 (middle), stands along Troost Avenue near 63rd Street with her mother, Laura (left), and her sister, Sarah, 19, during PrayOnTroost on June 19, 2020.

Rev. Vernon Howard, president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, calls for the dismissal of Police Chief Rick Smith on the steps of Kansas City Police headquarters downtown on July 10, 2020.

Demonstrators in Westport on July 25, 2020 gather at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and Westport Road to rally against arrests made of other protesters in Overland Park earlier in the week.

The KC Art on the Block project drew hundreds of volunteers Saturday to complete six unique Black Lives Matter murals in different parts of the city. — The KC Art on the Block project drew hundreds of volunteers on Sept. 5, 2020 to complete six unique Black Lives Matter murals in different parts of the city.

U.S. Attorney General William P. Barr is flanked by the parents of LeGend Taliferro, Raphael, left, and Charron, as he addresses the media on Aug. 19, 2020 at the Charles Evans Whittaker Courthouse. Barr was in Kansas City to update the progress of Operation LeGend, a federal initiative that began in Kansas City to address violent crime. It resulted in about 1,500 arrests nationally.

Kansas City attorney Stacy Shaw gives out instructions and protocol to "team red" members on Sept. 23, 2020 during a rally for Breonna Taylor in front of police headquarters. Team red protesters were willing to be arrested in case police came for them.

A "People's City" formed on the grounds of Kansas City City Hall in October 2020 after after a video of Kansas City Police violently arresting a pregnant Deja Stallings circulated on social media. The encampment formed on Oct. 1 and ended 21 days later with a "ceasefire" that organizers said gave them an opportunity to have discussion with public officials.

Attorney Stacy Shaw comforts Deja Stallings during a press conference on the south side of Kansas City City Hall on October 8. — Attorney Stacy Shaw comforts Deja Stallings during a press conference on Oct. 8, 2020 on the south side of City Hall in Kansas City. Stallings, 25 at the time, was nine months pregnant. She was tossed to the ground and handcuffed facedown on Sept. 30 while a Kansas City police officer put his knee on her lower back. Police say she was interfering with an arrest. She gave birth to a girl on Oct. 16.

Members of KC Tenants occupied the steps of the Jackson County Courthouse on Oct. 15, 2020 to prevent eviction hearings.

Khadijah Hardaway, the lead organizer for Justice for Wyandotte, makes an impassioned plea for cold case investigations and other injustices during a press conference in front of the Wyandotte County court house in Kansas City, Kansas, on Thursday. — Khadijah Hardaway, the lead organizer for Justice for Wyandotte, makes an impassioned plea for cold case investigations and other injustices during a press conference in front of the Wyandotte County court house in Kansas City, Kansas, on April 1, 2021.

Quadafi, the spokesperson for the KC Homeless Union, addresses the crowd on the south side of Kansas City's city hall Thursday afternoon at a joint "We Shall Not Be Moved" rally with KC Tenants. — Quadafi, the spokesperson for the KC Homeless Union, addresses the crowd on the south side of Kansas City's city hall on April 8, 2021 at a joint "We Shall Not Be Moved" rally with KC Tenants.

Pat Clarke, president of Oak Park Neighborhood Association, speaks at a press conference following the Derek Chauvin trial on April 20, 2021. Chauvin was found guilty on all counts for the murder of George Floyd and is awaiting sentencing.

This story is part of 9:29 — The Minutes That Moved Kansas City, a KCUR 89.3 and 41 Action News collaboration about the legacy of George Floyd.

Join KCUR 89.3 journalist Carlos Moreno and others for a live panel discussion about the one-year anniversary of George Floyd's murder and its impact on Kansas City on Tuesday, May 25 at 7 p.m. Hosted by 41 Action News anchor Dia Wall, panelists include Mayor Quinton Lucas, Kansas City Missouri Police Department Capt. Jeffrey Hughley, RE: Owner Chrysalyn Huff and protestor Bukeka Blakemore.