KANSAS CITY, Mo. — People gathered in parts of downtown Kansas City, Missouri, Tuesday night holding signs of “solidarity.”
KSHB 41 News reporter Isabella Ledonne followed with protesters as they demonstrated underneath an Interstate 35 overpass just south of downtown near Kansas City’s Westside.
Demonstrators said they were showing support to their community in Kansas City and Los Angeles.
Parts of Los Angeles have been ground zero in a demonstration against federal government immigration enforcement efforts. Many in attendance on Tuesday in downtown Kansas City told KSHB 41 News they are immigrants themselves.
“I know what this feels like; it’s heartbreaking,” Kansas City protester Jessica Saucedo said. “I hate it. I don’t sleep.”
Protesters marched from the underpass east toward one of Kansas City’s iconic locations - the north lawn of the World War I Museum and Memorial.
“I felt it was my right and my duty to come here as what I had to go through to come here and yell,” Saucedo said.
Leonardo Hernandez and Michelle Ramos explained public safety was top of mind, as numerous reports fled out of the protests in LA.
"I was a little nervous," Hernandez said. "I'm not going to lie. I thought, you know, you never know what could happen at these events."
Hernandez and Ramos told KSHB 41 reporter Isabella Ledonne they saw a fight break out between two men in the street, and they heard a firework explode.
“One little thing can trigger the whole crowd and we were doing a peaceful protest and that fight was so unnecessary," Ramos said.
Even with that isolated incident, Hernandez said he's glad he came out and share his voice.
"At the end of the day, what you are, what color it doesn't matter, we're here to support, make a change. Unity is very important," he said.
Protesters marched around downtown for several hours on Tuesday evening, eventually blocking the intersection of Pershing and Main in front of Union Station. Several fireworks were set off in the evening, disrupting both lanes of traffic.
The crowd eventually dispersed around 11 p.m. on Tuesday. KCPD said no arrests were made, no injuries were reported and the demonstrations remained peaceful.
KSHB 41 reporter Isabella Ledonne reports on stories about government accountability. Share your story idea with Isabella.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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