Politics Archives – Page 2 of 6 – The Kansas City Defender

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

Latest in Politics

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.

Gov. Parson Breaks Silence & Signals Likely Pardon for Racist Killer Cop Eric Devalkenaere

By Ryan S. ● Justice ● August 12, 2024

On the verge of pardoning the first cop in Missouri’s history convicted of killing a Black man, Gov. Parson’s recent comments on a far-right extremist radio show expose his white supremacist intentions, signaling a grave injustice for the Black community.

The Diverging Paths of Cori Bush and Wesley Bell: Following the Money Trail to Missouri’s 1st Congressional District Race

By Lynnie Holl ● 2024 Elections ● July 26, 2024

The impending primary election in Missouri’s 1st Congressional District offers the voters of St. Louis a choice between a vocal advocate for the people and a prosecutor beholden to paid interests.

Right-Wing Accounts Launch Mark Violets Antifa Conspiracy in Light of Trump “Assassination Attempt”

By Ryan S. ● National ● July 13, 2024

In a dramatic turn of events at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, right-wing social media accounts are circulating unverified claims that the shooter, who they claim to be named Mark Violets, is linked to Antifa. Despite lacking credible evidence, these conspiracies are spreading rapidly in the wake of what officials are calling an “assassination attempt.” This moment will have profound and historic political implications.

Special action honoring Palestinian American Medical Association withdrawn from Kansas City Council amid anti-Palestinian bias

By Lynnie Holl ● Politics ● May 30, 2024

Following “unexpected contention” regarding the recognition of the Palestinian American Medical Association (PAMA) for their work in Palestine, PAMA has asked the Kansas City Council to withdraw the planned vote on the Special Action resolution.

Missouri Supreme Court Voids 2022 Vote on Kansas City Police Funding, Orders New Election for November

By Lynnie Holl ● 2024 Elections ● May 3, 2024

The 2022 measure ballot that would require Kansas City to increase police funding from the constitutional mandated 20% to 25% has been deemed invalid by the Missouri Supreme Courts–due to an incorrect fiscal note on the ballot.