Sunrise Movement Kansas City Mobilizes for Improved Transit and Climate Action

Sunrise Movement Kansas City Gathers to Tackle Transit and Climate Issues

In a week filled with energy and enthusiasm, over 60 passionate individuals came together in Kansas City to attend a mass meeting held by the Sunrise Movement. This dynamic organization, made up of youths dedicating themselves to combat the climate crisis, is rallying support for a Green New Deal while strategically planning to challenge business as usual during the next four years under the Trump administration.

The Sunrise Movement first caught national attention in 2018 when some of its members, including newly elected Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, held a sit-in at the office of then-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. Fast forward to now, and the Kansas City chapter is focused on local issues that impact daily lives.

Missing Bus Routes Highlight Community Struggles

A particularly hot topic during the meeting was the glaring lack of bus routes connecting essential areas, like Lee’s Summit and Grandview. Mahreen Ansari, a key coordinator for the Better Buses Kansas City campaign, delved deep into six essential demands they hope Jackson County will heed regarding RideKC public transportation. Her own experience as a former full-time bus rider illuminated how countless residents face immense challenges in navigating their communities.

“I grew up ‘anti-car’ and lived in a transit desert in South KC,” Mahreen shared, reflecting on her direct observations of how inadequate transportation hampers mobility for her neighbors. “Riding a bus from the Northeast to Midtown took me up to 45 minutes when it’s only a 15-minute drive by car. It really showed me just how disconnected parts of our city are.”

Surveying the Community’s Needs

To further press their case, the Sunrise KC chapter conducted a survey, gathering responses from hundreds of residents. Among those surveyed, a majority voiced frustration over the lack of accessible bus routes. Mahreen noted that while initially they targeted city council and Mayor Quinton Lucas for better funding, they soon discovered a heated back-and-forth between these officials over budget allocations. “After seeing the cuts in services, we realized a county-level fight might be more effective,” she stated. “We are now focused on gaining sustainable funding.”

Despite their continual outreach efforts to Jackson County legislators, the silence has been almost deafening. “We’re not giving up,” Mahreen asserted, “We plan to increase our protestative efforts until we secure funding for transit like they did for that baseball stadium that not everyone wanted.”

A Personal Mission for Community Mobility

Kashmere Ketterman, another dedicated organizer in the movement, shared his personal journey which led him to the Sunrise Movement. Kicked out of his home in 2020, he lived in his car and felt a sense of hopelessness until he stumbled across those young activists in Pelosi’s office. “It made me think, ‘This is a group I can be part of,’” he recalled.

Now without a car, he understands the financial burden that owning one can create. “With rent being so expensive, keeping a car is often a family’s second-biggest expense,” Kashmere emphasized. “This bus campaign is crucial because mobility is a human right.” He went on to remind everyone that without reliable transportation, accessing other rights truly becomes a challenge.

The Push for Funding

Kashmere put the pressure on local officials, asking them, “Will you listen to the voices of over a thousand people who signed our petition for better buses? It’s time to do the right thing.” His comments spotlight a persistent question regarding spending priorities and the lack of support for crucial transit services as Kansas City prepares to host the World Cup in less than two years.

Another participant, Anthony Cunningham, shared his motivation for joining Sunrise KC stemmed from a desire to connect with his community. He made the choice to stay car-free five years ago, and although it initially posed challenges, he managed to tackle his student loans with the money he saved.

“This region overlooks vital investments in public transportation, just look at how funding works in our neighboring cities,” he noted. The existence of viable transit options, especially in a growing city like Kansas City, is something he passionately advocates for. “We need to have conversations with our elected officials and demand they step up,” he encouraged.

With a tireless commitment, organizers like Mahreen, Kashmere, and Anthony are rallying support to create a more connected and equitable Kansas City. As the community joins forces, the hope for lasting change grows stronger each day.