Kansas City’s most prominent civil rights organizations are taking an uncompromising stand, demanding the immediate firing of City Manager Brian Platt.
In a blistering open letter addressed to Mayor Quinton Lucas and the City Council, the Urban Council—comprising the NAACP, the Urban League of Greater Kansas City, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and the Urban Summit—laid out their case against Platt in unequivocal terms.
“The Time for Action is Now—Fire City Manager Brian Platt”
The letter, issued today, pulls no punches, accusing Platt of “a well-documented pattern of racism, sexism, mendacity, and retaliation” against Black, Latino, and female employees.
It highlights Platt’s extensive history of abuses, including orchestrating forced resignations, fostering a toxic workplace culture, and costing taxpayers over $7 million in civil rights and wrongful termination lawsuits.
Among the most scathing accusations leveled against Platt:
- Weaponizing city resources against Black employees.
- Failing to uphold the city’s equity commitments in economic development.
- Ignoring rampant racial discrimination within city departments, particularly the fire department.
- Retaliating against whistleblowers, as confirmed in the Chris Hernandez case.
“If Platt had been a Black man with a smattering of these infractions, his removal would have been swift and merciless.”
The letter also takes direct aim at Mayor Quinton Lucas, condemning his continued defense of Platt despite overwhelming evidence of misconduct. Civil rights leaders argue that Lucas ignored Black council members’ warnings when Platt was hired, and now the entire city is paying the price—literally and morally.
“This is your defining moment, City Council. History will judge your actions—or your silence.”
With the City Council set to vote on Platt’s termination tomorrow, the stakes could not be higher. Will elected officials stand with the community, or will they continue to shield a city manager accused of blatant corruption and abuse?
Adding further weight to the calls for Platt’s removal, Third District Councilwoman Melissa Robinson publicly declared her stance, stating,
“Now is the time for resolution and transparency, not ambiguity. I expect the council to name an interim city manager tomorrow and terminate our current contract with Brian Platt.”
Robinson emphasized that Kansas City deserves a leader who values integrity and accountability, not one embroiled in repeated scandals. She further criticized the lack of oversight that led to Platt’s contract renewal last year, calling it a failure of due diligence by city leadership
The full letter, signed by Rev. Dr. Vernon Howard (Southern Christian Leadership Conference – Greater Kansas City), Bishop James Tindall (Urban Summit Kansas City, Inc.), Gwen Grant (Urban League of Greater Kansas City), and Nimrod Chapel (NAACP – Missouri), is attached below.
Read the Full Letter Below;
Dear Mayor Quinton Lucas and the KCMO City Council:
THE TIME FOR ACTION IS NOW—FIRE CITY MANAGER BRIAN PLATT
Kansas City stands at a crossroads. The question before you is not simply whether City Manager Brian Platt should remain in his position—it is whether you will stand on the side of justice, accountability, and the citizens who elected you or if you will allow the continued erosion of integrity and public trust in our city’s leadership.
Brian Platt has a well-documented pattern of racism, sexism, mendacity, and retaliationagainst Black, Latino, and female employees. The evidence is undeniable. He has orchestrated forced resignations, fostered a toxic and racially hostile workplace, and cost taxpayers over $7 million in civil rights, wrongful termination, and whistleblower lawsuit payouts.
Platt’s tenure has been shameful:
- He weaponized city resources against Black employees.
- He has failed to uphold the city’s commitments to equity in economic development projects.
- He has ignored invidious racial discrimination within city departments. Systemic racism and abuse within the city’s fire department have been well documented, and yet Platt has done little to implement any substantive or impactful reforms.
- His administration has been riddled with scandals and misconduct. The evidence in the Chris Hernandez whistleblower case confirmed what many already knew—Platt governs through deception and retaliation, not integrity and accountability.
The jury’s unanimous nearly $1 million verdict finding that Platt engaged in unethical and retaliatory conduct confirms what Civil Rights leaders have been saying for years. In a press conference at City Hall on May 4, 2023, the Urban Council warned you. We called for accountability. We raised the alarm. Yet, he remained in power, emboldened by the unwavering support of Mayor Quinton Lucas, whose complicity in Platt’s disastrous tenure is undeniable.
Mayor Lucas ignored the concerns of Black council members when Platt was hired, and now the city is paying the price—literally.
Moreover, if Platt had been a Black man with a smattering of these infractions, his removal would have been swift and merciless.
This is your defining moment, City Council. History will judge your actions—or your silence. Will you stand for justice, integrity, and the people you were elected to serve, or will you continue shielding a man who has repeatedly abused his power, trampled on civil rights, and betrayed the public trust?
Kansas City deserves leadership that upholds fairness, accountability, and respect for all its residents. It’s time to stop enabling corruption and start restoring faith in City Hall.
Do the right thing. Fire Brian Platt immediately.
The Urban Council
- Rev. Dr. Vernon Howard, Southern Christian Leadership Conference – Greater Kansas City
- Bishop James Tindall, Urban Summit Kansas City, Inc.
- Gwen Grant, Urban League of Greater Kansas City
- Nimrod Chapel, NAACP – Missouri
