Army veteran, arrested at Kansas City protest, says police use of force uncalled for [View all]

[Jamastiene]

Army veteran, arrested at Kansas City protest, says police use of force uncalled for

By CORTLYNN STARK | The Kansas City Star | Published: June 13, 2020

KANSAS CITY (Tribune News Service) — If someone threw rocks at James Gillcrist and his fellow U.S. Army service members in Iraq 10 years ago, they would simply reposition.

Responding with force wasn't worth it.

The Rockhurst High School theology teacher, during the second night of protests May 30 in Kansas City at the Country Club Plaza, saw police use tear gas on peaceful protesters and called the police response undisciplined. He said he would have been court-martialed out of the Army if he responded the same way overseas.

During the several days of protests against police brutality and in support of Black Lives Matter in Kansas City, hundreds were arrested. Before deescalating their tactics, police used pepper spray and tear gas in the first few days. Protesters sustained bruises, one lost sight in one eye and another's leg was broken.

"This isn't the country that myself and (other) veterans fought for," Gillcrist said. "We made an oath to protect and defend the Constitution. And they're out here violating the constitutional rights of citizens.

"It makes you angry."

https://www.stripes.com/news/us/army-veteran-arrested-at-kansas-city-protest-says-police-use-of-force-uncalled-for-1.633648