Despite unseasonably cold weather, social justice organizations joined in union on Nov. 17 outside of the Wyandotte County Unified Government demanding justice be served in regards to retired Det. Roger Golubski. The rally, sponsored by Team Roc, the social justice arm of Jay-Z’s entertainment company and the Innocence Project, was a team of high profile NY activists in support of the Justice for KC Movement.
The rally was organized locally by a number of social action organizations, including Miracle of Innocence, an organization founded by Lamonte McIntyre and Darryl Burton, both of whom spent more than two decades in prison for crimes they didn’t commit.
A crowd of about 100 people attended the rally where the following demands were called for:
- A patterns and practices investigation of the Kansas City Police Department by the Department of Justice
- New forms of public safety
- Reparations paid to the victims.
Ricky Kidd, who spent 23 years in prison before being exonerated was among many speakers at the rally.
“Although we have the right to remain silent, we also have the freedom to speak loudly, to speak boldly, and to speak collectively. To the community of KCK, we see you, we hear you, and we stand together with you,” Kidd told the crowd. ”
McIntyre, who claims Golubski framed him for the murder he served time, said he was inspired the rally’s size.
“Seeing this many people show up lets me know people are paying attention and they do want change. The people are tired of being victimized by a system that is meant to protect them,” McIntyre said.
During his time of incarnation, McIntyre told The Voice, he met a few other people he believed were serving time for a crime they didn’t commit, including Briand Betts and John Calvin.
Golubski was recently charged in federal court for conspiracy of running an underage sex-trafficking operation with a local drug kingpin. The age of girls who were victims ranged as young as 13 to 17.
In September, Golubski was charged for federal civil rights violations, including the kidnapping and aggravated sexual abuse of two Wyandotte women.
He’s been accused of terrorizing the Black community in Kansas City, KS, for decades: sending innocent people to prison and coercing sex from female residents.
