Residents of Kansas City, Missouri, are voicing their concerns following a march by the hate group Patriot Front that took place on Saturday in downtown. Footage showed the group assembling at the Liberty Memorial before proceeding through the city, dressed in tan hats, white masks, navy blue shirts, and tan pants, with some members carrying shields. They displayed controversial flags, including upside-down American flags and the Confederate flag, as well as flags featuring the group’s logo.
Approximately 100 individuals were estimated to have participated, according to the Kansas City Missouri Police Department, which stated they were unaware of the protest beforehand. The police clarified that the group is from outside the local area, suggesting no local residents were involved in the demonstration.
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) identifies Patriot Front as a white nationalist hate group that emerged from a neo-Nazi faction after the “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville in 2017. The group has a history of vandalizing murals dedicated to victims of police violence, including George Floyd, and has protested events focused on LGBTQ rights.
After the march, eyewitnesses reported that the members departed the vicinity using U-Haul trucks, a method they are known to utilize for transporting their members.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas addressed the event on social media, affirming, “While the First Amendment provides the right to bring any message to Kansas City, we know that our diversity, our welcoming community, and our respect for the rights of all reject whatever hate and cowardice come our way.”
Additionally, the National WWI Museum and Memorial issued a statement clarifying that the gathering did not reflect their values, emphasizing a commitment to serving as a venue for learning and unity while standing firmly against hatred and divisiveness.
The incident has reignited discussions about the presence of hate groups and their actions in public spaces, highlighting both the resilience of community values and the ongoing challenges of addressing hate in society.