Missouri groups to continue protesting despite tensions following second deadly Minneapolis shooting
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
As tensions continue to rise between protestors and law enforcement across the nation, two Missouri activist groups remain faithful to their causes, with one even telling ABC 17 News that recent events have led to more people joining the crowds.
Saturday marked the second fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen this month by federal agents in Minneapolis after 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti was shot and killed by ICE agents.
When asked about the event Beverly Harvey with Indivisible Kansas City said she was "totally disgusted."
With Pretti's shooting also came questions surrounding the legality the shooting after it was determined Pretti legally had a handgun in his waistband during his altercation with ICE agents.
According to police Instructor Todd Burke, a permit is not required to own a handgun in Missouri. Burke adds that with gun ownership comes with good judgment.
"Any place where you feel is unsafe, why go there?" Burke said. "I think until a lot of this shakes out, and we get a better handle on how these demonstrations and protests and riots are being managed, the best way to avoid it, is to avoid it."
Burke added if approached by police, the best thing to do is treat the interaction like a traffic stop. He recommends a person putting their hands up and telling the officer if they have a gun and its location.
Both Indivisible Kansas City and We Stand United Missouri remain motivated in their activism with both groups reiterating a focus on peaceful protest. Both groups also provide deescalation training to event attendees.
"We try to sort out ways that we can continue our nonpartisan, peaceful mission of showing a way for people to express their agency as citizens, what they disapprove of, how they disagree with or approve of whatever is going on," Sue Rogers, with We Stand United Missouri, said.
"You're talking about the Midwest, and the Midwest has always been a friendly, nice place, Kansas City included," Harvey said. "There's never been a need to, so we don't carry firearms."
Both Rogers and Harvey also pushed for residents to take other routes of protest, including sending letters to lawmakers and becoming educated on the lawmaking process.
"When I tell somebody how they can contact their legislators, that's up to them, what they tell them, but not everybody is aware of how to call or write if there's a bill that they're worried about," Rogers said.
Both groups add that they haven't seen many issues with counter-protesters or law enforcement.
Rogers added We Stand United Missouri plans to host another silent memorial for Pretti's death, similar to their event remembering Good earlier this month.
"It's taken off like a rocket after this issue, so people are standing up, they're not going to stand down, they're not going to put up with it," Harvey said.
A small demonstration was also held Monday near the Truman VA Hospital in Columbia.
