May Day rallies hit Kansas City, protestors hold communist signs, target ICE, income tax phase-out plan

Hundreds of Kansas City residents, including teenagers from Plaza Academy, participated in May Day protests, expressing opposition to various issues. Key targets included Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a proposed plan to phase out Missouri’s income tax, a new Royals stadium, and the increasing presence of data centers in the city. Protesters, some holding communist symbols and signs advocating for "workers over billionaires," chanted slogans such as "No hate. No fear. Immigrants are welcome here" while also collecting signatures for "ICE Out" petitions from local businesses. Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe publicly defended the income tax phase-out plan, asserting it would save residents $9 billion annually and ensure billionaires pay their fair share, while preparing the state for the e-commerce economy through a new sales tax if approved by voters in November. The proposed Royals stadium, despite being claimed by protesters as benefiting billionaires, is projected to create 20,000 jobs during its construction phase. Swoo Harter, a sophomore, specifically highlighted her concerns about the "uptick in data centers" alongside ICE activities. The rallies also featured commentary from figures like Terrence Wise of the Missouri Workers Center, who spoke about affordability struggles, and Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Alford, who framed affordability as a Democratic catchphrase. The protests occurred a week after Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed a bill requiring students to learn about the harms of communism and fascism.