If you’ve driven down Ninth Street or through the Country Club Plaza lately, you've probably seen the signs. They aren't your typical billboards. They’re handmade, often dripping with rain or shivering in the wind, and they carry a name that has become a lightning rod for the city: Renee Good.
The air in Kansas City right now feels heavy. It’s not just the January chill or the relentless drizzle we've been getting. It's the tension. Between the recent killing of former resident Renee Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis and the sudden appearance of federal agents at a massive warehouse in South KC, the metro is a powder keg. Honestly, if you're looking for upcoming protests in Kansas City, you don't have to look far. The city is basically in a state of rolling demonstrations.
The Botts Road Standoff: Why South KC is the New Front Line
The biggest story right now—the one that’s going to drive the most activity over the next few weeks—is the warehouse at 14901 Botts Road.
Just a few days ago, on January 15, federal agents from ICE and the Department of Homeland Security were spotted touring this massive industrial site. We’re talking about a facility that could potentially hold 7,500 to 10,000 people. Jackson County Legislator Manny Abarca IV actually confronted these agents on-site. He caught them on video, flashlights shining into his car, refusing to show name badges. It was a scene straight out of a thriller, but for the folks living in the 6th District, it’s a nightmare.
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The City Council moved fast. They passed a moratorium to block permits for non-municipal detention centers, but let’s be real: federal supremacy is a thing. Council member Johnathan Duncan hasn't minced words, calling the prospect of this facility a "homegrown concentration camp." You can bet your last dollar that the upcoming protests in Kansas City are going to center on this Botts Road location. Groups like the KC Handmaid Army have already been spotted there with their iconic red robes and white hoods, and more organized "rapid response" teams are forming.
Who is Organizing?
If you're trying to keep track of who's doing what, here’s the breakdown:
- The Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL): They’ve been the primary engine behind the City Hall rallies. They brought out over 200 people in a freezing rain just last week.
- KC ICE Free: This is a newer coalition chaired by Tay Castillo. They aren't just about marching; they’re doing community trainings and setting up phone trees.
- KC Handmaid Army: Focused specifically on the warehouse sites and the humanitarian "visual" of the protest.
- Kansas Interfaith Action: While they do a lot in Topeka, Rabbi Moti Rieber has been a loud voice linking the KC struggle to a broader moral crisis.
The Shadow of Renee Good
You can't talk about the current unrest without talking about Renee Good. She was one of ours. A 37-year-old queer woman who used to live here before moving to Minneapolis. When she was shot and killed by an ICE agent earlier this month, it stopped being a "national news story" and became a local tragedy.
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The vigils at Mill Creek Park have been somber. Last Saturday, hundreds of people gathered there at 3:30 p.m. It wasn't just shouting; it was mourning. But that mourning is curdling into a very specific type of anger. The "ICE Out for Good" slogan you’re seeing everywhere? That’s for her.
Labor and the "Red Cup Rebellion"
It isn't all about immigration, though that’s the headline grabber. The Kansas City labor scene is also on fire. The "Red Cup Rebellion" is still going strong. Starbucks workers at locations like 4101 Main St. and 1701 W. 39th St. have been walking the picket lines with the help of the KC DSA.
It’s interesting to see how these groups are starting to overlap. At the recent "Human Needs are Human Rights" rally in Topeka (which saw a massive KC contingent), you had the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, and the Sierra Club all standing together. They’re connecting the dots between labor rights, reproductive rights, and immigration.
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What to Expect in the Coming Days
So, where should you keep your eyes peeled?
- City Hall and Ilus W. Davis Park: This remains the "official" staging ground. If a major announcement comes from the federal government regarding the Botts Road warehouse, expect people to flood this area within hours.
- The Plaza (Mill Creek Park): Usually the spot for vigils and weekend rallies. It’s high-visibility and has a history of being the city’s "town square" for dissent.
- South KC Industrial Centers: Keep an eye on the Botts Road area. Protesters are already talking about "occupying" the perimeter to prevent construction or renovation.
One thing that's been surprising is the age range. You’ve got 21-year-olds like Basil Brown who just "felt the need to turn out," standing next to 72-year-olds like Bill Drummond, who’s out there in bright orange rain gear waving a flag because he remembers what fascism looked like in Spain under Franco.
Practical Steps for Staying Informed
If you're planning to attend any of these upcoming protests in Kansas City, or if you just want to avoid the traffic, the situation is moving fast.
- Follow local organizers on Signal or Telegram: Most of the "rapid response" stuff isn't happening on X or Facebook anymore because of surveillance concerns.
- Watch the City Council dockets: The legal fight over the moratorium is the next big hurdle. If the city loses a court battle, the protests will escalate instantly.
- Check the weather: Sounds silly, but the "melting signs in the rain" has become a literal theme of this movement. Dress in layers.
- Know your rights: If you’re heading to the South KC warehouse, remember that while the city passed a moratorium, federal agents are still patrolling that area.
The city is bracing itself. Between the legal maneuvers of Mayor Quinton Lucas and the raw energy on the streets, the next few weeks will likely define Kansas City’s identity for the rest of 2026. This isn't just about a warehouse; it's about what kind of city people want to live in.
To stay current on the specific times for the next Botts Road assembly, monitor the KC ICE Free social media updates or the KCUR politics desk, as they have been the most consistent in tracking federal movements in the metro area. Check the Jackson County legislature calendar for the next public comment session where the warehouse lease will likely be debated.