Politics Archives – The Kansas City Defender

Trump is Puppeteering Missouri Legislators With Gerrymandering Plan to Remove Emanuel Cleaver

By Lynnie Holl ● Fascism Watch ● September 12, 2025

Missouri Legislators continue to play puppet in Trump’s far-right gerrymandering agenda to secure more republican seats in Congress for next year’s midterm elections.

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KCPS Board Election: Here Are Your Candidates

By Lynnie Holl ● Education ● April 4, 2025

Missouri’s general municipal election will include a school board race for the Kansas City Public Schools District. 7 candidates are vying for three sub-districts and an At-Large bid. The Kansas City Defender was able to connect with four of those candidates for a Q&A.

A Slave-Era Jail in 2025? The KC Star Said Yes. We Say Hell No.

By Ryan S. ● Justice ● April 4, 2025

The Kansas City Star endorsed an $800 million jail project with no guaranteed mental health services, no data, and no plan—just more cages. We respond with facts, history, and the clear alternative

JAIL TAX OUTRAGE: KC’s Most Powerful Civil Rights Orgs Denounce Jail in Historic Stand

By Ryan S. ● Justice ● April 1, 2025

Kansas City’s most prominent civil rights organizations have come together to issue a resounding rejection of the proposed “Jail Tax,” warning it would divert $250 million from vital services, deepen inequality, and revive failed mass incarceration policies.

KCMO City Council Unanimously Votes to Extend Suspension of City Manager Brian Platt

By Ryan S. ● Politics ● March 20, 2025

In a historic vote, Kansas City’s City Council has officially suspended City Manager Brian Platt after mounting civil rights pressure. Platt’s tenure was plagued by corruption, racism, and retaliation, costing taxpayers millions in lawsuits.

KC Civil Rights Leaders Demand Immediate Firing of “Racist, Sexist, Corrupt” City Manager Brian Platt As Decision Looms

By Ryan S. ● Politics ● March 19, 2025

BREAKING: Kansas City Suspends Corrupt City Manager Brian Platt

By KC Defender Staff ● Politics ● March 6, 2025

Kansas City Manager Brian Platt has been suspended—just hours after The Kansas City Defender’s exposé on his corruption and abuse of power shook the city. This comes one day after a jury awarded nearly $1 million to a whistleblower Platt retaliated against. City Council will decide his fate on March 20.

BOMBSHELL VERDICT: Jury Confirms Corruption and Retaliation at the Highest Levels of Kansas City Leadership

By Ryan S. ● Politics ● March 6, 2025

As Kansas City’s most powerful unelected official, Brian Platt has built his career on lies, retaliation, corruption, targeting Black employees, women, and whistleblowers who dared to challenge him. This exposé uncovers the shocking truth behind Platt’s reign.

“No Cuts, No Compromise!”: Kansas Citians Mobilize to Defend Public Transit as Funding Crisis Looms

By Lynnie Holl ● Climate ● January 28, 2025

Kansas City’s public transit system is at a breaking point. Without immediate funding, a 33% service cut will strand thousands of workers, students, and families who depend on buses every day.

Fight Back Against Wage Slavery! The Fast-Food Industry’s Exploitation of Black & Low-Wage Workers

By Lynnie Holl ● Politics ● October 25, 2024

The fast-food industry thrives on the exploitation of Black people and low-wage workers. Fran Marion & Stand Up KC are fighting back with the Healthy Families and Fair Wages campaign — demanding an end to wage slavery and challenging the greedy executives that keep them underpaid, overworked, and subjected to dangerous, inhumane conditions.