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

Kansas City residents, including high school students, participated in May Day protests, expressing opposition to several issues. Among the concerns were Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities, a proposed plan to phase out Missouri ’s income tax, and the ongoing development of data centers in the area. Students from Plaza Academy walked out of class to join the demonstrations across the city, with one sophomore, Swoo Harter, specifically citing "the uptick in data centers and ICE activity" as reasons for her protest. Protesters engaged with local businesses to gather signatures for "ICE Out" petitions, aiming to bar ICE agents from those establishments. One incident involving Bloom Baking Co. and the Missouri Workers Center circulated online, depicting the owner signing a pledge, though a commenter alleged the event was staged. The rallies also featured signs with communist symbols and phrases, notably "Communist Party USA, forward together, Missouri/Kansas." This comes a week after Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed a bill mandating education on the harms of political ideologies like communism. Regarding economic policies, demonstrators criticized the proposed elimination of Missouri ’s income tax and a new Royals stadium, arguing these measures primarily benefit the wealthy. Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe defended the tax plan, stating it would save residents $9 billion annually and ensure billionaires pay their fair share, with residents voting on it in November. He also addressed concerns about a subsequent sales tax. Terrence Wise of the Missouri Workers Center highlighted widespread struggles with affordability for working-class residents, a sentiment echoed by Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Alford, who framed affordability as a key Democratic issue.