Kansas City’s March for Democracy

Thousands Gathered at the Corner 13th and Grand in Protest

Right now, the world feels unsteady. Uncertainty is the theme of the season, and it's easy to get caught up in the unknowns. But even in times like these, there is power in pausing—taking a moment to breathe and notice the things that anchor us.

I had a moment like that on Saturday, March 29, 2025. I lined up with my mom and two friends on the corner of 13th St. and Grand Blvd. in downtown Kansas City. Thousands gathered for the March for Democracy, preparing to walk down Main St. to the lawn of the World War I Museum and Memorial​.

As I moved through the crowd, weaving between protesters to capture different angles, I felt the collective energy of people deeply concerned about the direction of our country. The march was a rhythm of movement and pause—stop and start as we followed traffic laws and waved at honking motorists. And then, as we arrived at the Memorial, it hit me: the weight of protesting against policies that many fear are inching toward authoritarianism in a space dedicated to remembering a war that helped ignite the rise of fascist movements.

It was sobering, yet also a reminder. Even in moments of unrest, there are things worth holding onto.

[Pictures copyright of Liz Davenport of Sunshine and Shadows Photography]