Friday has been the deadliest day for police since 9/11.
Snipers opened fire on police in Dallas, killing five officers during protests over two recent fatal police shootings of black men.
Local police send their condolences
Kansas City, Kansas Police Chief Terry Zeigler has been active on Twitter, sending condolences for the officers who were killed and the six officers who were wounded.
In a recent message Zeigler said, “We train that every citizen is to be treated with dignity and respect. We hope our citizens will treat us the same.”
In Kansas, conceal and carry laws are legal. If you are pulled over and have a gun in your car, you are asked to tell officers about it.
Police in Kansas City do not expect any violence here because of the relationship they have built with the community.
Clergy will march to unite, not divide KC
Community leaders are hoping their march will help unite Kansas City following a very tumultuous three days throughout the country.
"We want to support life, no matter who's life it is,” said Bishop Martin Field, Episcopal Diocese of West Missouri.
“We want police to not have to make decisions about the use of firearms or deadly force. We want people to not use violence or deadly force as a means of somehow thinking they're solving problems,” he said.
Field was just one of several clergy and other Kansas City community leaders gathered outside AME Zion Church on Friday. The Bishop is joining countless others in a grassroots effort to raise awareness on the need for peace following not only the deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, but the five police officers shot and killed in Dallas Thursday night during a protest in their names.
"Violence is never an answer,” said Field. "I think we're really just trying to acknowledge the fact this is systemic. It's been going on a long time,” he said.
Joining in the effort is Reverend Ken McKoy of St. Louis. The pastor marched during Ferguson and feels that personal interaction with those in the streets is at the core of progressing towards positive change.
"My mission is to engage clergy. To come out of the pulpit. Do less talking and more walking,” said McKoy.
“We have to reach out more aggressively … We are reaffirming our commitment to end violence in any manifestation,” he said.
McKoy also firmly noted that supporting black lives does not mean opposing police.
“We're not anti-police at all. In fact, somebody from the Kansas City Police Department will be walking with us tonight,” said the pastor.
The march will congregate outside AME Zion Church at 2828 Prospect Avenue at 9 p.m. Friday night. It is expected to end around 11 p.m.
Other area peace demonstrations include:
Prayer vigil for the fallen Dallas police officers – 7 p.m. on Friday, led by Beth Maupin - Minor Park in Kansas City
Dallas prayer event – 7 p.m. on Friday, Armstrong Park, 711 South Main - Grain Valley
KC Peace Walk – 12 p.m. on Saturday, meeting at Kansas City’s Union Station
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Belinda Post can be reached at belinda.post@kshb.com.
Josh Helmuth can be reached at josh.helmuth@kshb.com
