Happy 816 Day! Kansas City is special because of its people and yesterday I was excited to recognize Chef Yahia “Baba” Kamal and his family for making @babaspantrykc so much more than a restaurant but a celebration of Palestinian culture and welcoming space for all. 🇵🇸 ❤️

The @unidos conference was an incredible week of heavy, powerful, and uplifting conversations- I’m grateful to have been a part of it. We will not shrink, we will not hide- we will rise together and meet this moment with our voices raised and fists held high. Adelante.

Yesterday I had the honor of recognizing AIRR for their tireless efforts to uplift and protect our immigrant in Kansas City and beyond. We’re better because you’re organizing. The proclamation was written and presented by my summer intern, an aspiring immigrant rights attorney.

Last week I joined Latino leaders from across the nation for the NALEO annual conference in ATL. Our conversations came back to this- to meet this moment we must join the work of community organizers to push for change. I’m so happy KC is full of organizers doing just that.

On Saturday I joined 200 of my neighbors from every part of the city, KCK, Eastern Jack and beyond for rapid response training to an ever growing ICE threat in our communities. Thank you @airr_kc and @kctenants for the training!

In the middle of a war on the working class, we the people must not forget who our enemy is. Our fight is not with our neighbors, it’s with the billionaires & their bought politicians who took food & healthcare from the poorest of us to give tax breaks to their wealthy friends.

To solve our public safety issues we'll have to think beyond jails. I joined our Municipal Court to research Miami’s model. They reduced their recidivism rate from 76% to 20% by treating their people rather than jailing them. We can do this with a Community Resource Center.🧵

It was a great day for talking with people about how we build a better future together- on our streets and in our homes. I’ve often said the people closest to the problem are closest to the solution, but that’s not quite right. The people closest to the problem ARE the solution.

Juneteenth hit different this year- it felt more important to show up and show out on Freedom Day. I stood in solidarity with @seiu.local1 as they fight for fair wages for janitorial workers. 🧵

Good morning, Kansas City! As many of you gear up to make your voices heard in the streets today, remember to be prepared, be thoughtful, and be safe. Water, snack, mask, sunscreen, eye safety, and a plan to leave the area I’m in are what I bring to protests. What do you bring?

Yesterday morning I joined the family and friends of SSG Daniel Antonio Gonzalez as they laid their beloved son, brother, husband, and friend to rest. SSG Gonzalez’s father Carlos was not able to bury his son yesterday because as a Mexican citizen he was denied entry at the border. 🧵

I was invited to a meeting of seniors this morning. We talked housing, transportation, and ensuring seniors have a seat at the table when planning development to ensure those with mobility issues are considered. Shoutout to Sheronda from @kcmoparks who organizes events and updates for our seniors.

I had the privilege to spend time with our building trades and these incredible apprentices this week. They beamed with pride as they told me about the skills they’re learning in the trades. Thank you @nabtubuilds and our unions for pushing us to ensure everyone has access to good jobs.

I unexpectedly ran into an old friend last night at Celebration at the Station. David Berry was kind, quiet, and incredibly brave. On a remote stretch of road near his home of Haysville, Kansas, he pulled an unconscious man from a burning truck, saving his life. 🧵

I heard Patriot Front had a little march today in the crossroads. A bunch of masked up cowards- take your racist fear mongering back to your basements and keyboards.

Against my and hundreds of community members' voiced objections. Today Council passed a loitering ordinance directly aimed at our homeless neighbors.🧵

I made the opening reception for visual artist Nasir Montalvo’s first solo exhibition SOAKIE’S WAS HOME now at @itsthewaitingroom. The way Nas is able to tell stories through photos, videos, poetry, and hours of one-on-one interviews is incredible and absolutely beautiful.(Photo credit: @lynnieholl)

This week I had the distinct honor and pleasure to recognize Malcolm X on what would have been his 100th birthday and uplift the impact of three incredible organizations who have united to pay tribute to Malcolm’s life, teachings, and legacy. 🧵

Yesterday I joined Kevin O’Neill and KC Tenants in standing with @seiulocal1.bsky.social janitorial workers as they fight for a contract with livable wages/ benefits. The rent is too damned high & the wages are too damned low for $14/hr! It’s solidarity over everything & people over profits forever.

Started this morning off with a test run on the streetcar southern track! We started at the Plaza up North to Union Station and ended at @umkc.bsky.social. Thank you to everyone who has worked hard to make this happen. Testing for accessibility with our blind and wheelchair bound neighbors is next.

Today the Finance passed items that explores a temporary jail & enforces loitering. Both items take aim at our unhoused & neither will provide housing for these folks. Funding housing for our people & support services for their healing is the only way forward. Anything less is a shameful waste.

Yesterday the City Council selected Mario Vasquez as the next City Manager. The decision wasn't unanimous, but the process was fair, professional, and without controversy. We proved government can deliver for the people- I look forward to working with CM Vasquez to do just that.

I’m grateful we have incredible folks like Judge Wachal presiding over our municipal court. Her program has reduced recidivism and improved outcomes for domestic violence cases. I look forward to ensuring it remains funded when the grant ends in September.

Thanks to @johnathanduncan.bsky.social @uaw.org @nutsnbolts1937.bsky.social @teamsters.bsky.social, Stand Up KC, KC Tenants, all our comrades and anyone else we forgot to mention for making our May Day Organizing Fair a success! Solidarity!

Packed house tonight at Wonderscope KC for a community visioning session about Blue River Road. Thank you to everyone who came out and made your voice heard!

The night sky gives us so much and it’s important we protect it from light pollution. Next week is International Dark Sky week and I was pleased to work with DarkSky Missouri to turn the exterior lights off downtown from sunset to sunrise to raise awareness about the importance of our night sky.

Creating pedestrian areas is about more than safety it’s about community. I was proud to join hundreds of @UMKC students, faculty, and community leaders in celebrating the completion of Roo Plaza. What was once a busy street is now a vibrant community space. #RooUp