A massive crowd filled the steps of the Missouri Capitol on Wednesday, protesting a special legislative session called by Republican Governor Mike Kehoe.
The protesters, carrying signs and chanting slogans, came from Kansas City, St. Louis, and rural Missouri. Their message was loud and clear: protect fair elections and stop gerrymandering.
Why People Are Protesting
At the center of the protest are two major proposals:
- Redrawing Missouri’s congressional map in a way that splits Kansas City into three GOP-leaning districts
- Making it harder for citizens to change laws through the state’s initiative petition process
The new congressional map would divide Kansas City voters among the 4th, 5th, and 6th districts, using Troost Avenue—a well-known symbol of racial segregation—as a boundary. Protesters say this would dilute the voices of urban voters, especially communities of color, and unfairly favor Republican candidates.
Concerns from Kansas City Residents
Three residents from Midtown Kansas City—Jim Edson, Kathy Marincel, and Patricia Muhilly—joined the protest at the Capitol. All three live in the 5th Congressional District, currently represented by Democrat Emanuel Cleaver. Under the new map:
- The 5th District would stretch hundreds of miles east, connecting Kansas City to central Missouri
- The 4th District would reach from downtown KC to the Ozarks
