December 13, 2025
The plaintiffs are in search of damages for alleged interference with their capability to function and earn income.
A federal civil rights lawsuit in search of $70 million alleges Missouri’s Westport Group Enchancment District conspired to exclude Black enterprise homeowners from considered one of Kansas Metropolis’s hottest leisure districts.
Native civil rights teams are throwing their assist behind the case. Euphoric LLC, UniKC LLC and The Sourze LLC filed the lawsuit in federal court docket earlier this 12 months. The go well with alleges the Westport CID and property homeowners used discriminatory practices to dam Black-led ventures within the Westport leisure district. The plaintiffs are in search of $70 million in damages for alleged interference with their capability to function and earn income.
The lawsuit claims Westport’s governing board questions potential tenants about the kind of music they plan to characteristic and the gang they anticipate. Moreover, the governing board inquires whether or not the enterprise will appeal to “Hip-Hop crowds,” allegations that plaintiffs say mirror biased gatekeeping.
Christopher Lee, one of many enterprise homeowners suing the CID, advised KCTV 5, “I paid my deposit. I gave them an idea. It wasn’t ok,” after he stated he met necessities however was denied the chance to open his enterprise.
Gwen Grant, president and chief government officer of the City League of Better Kansas Metropolis, stated civil rights teams hope elevated consideration will “add weight” to the case, “she stated. “Now, persons are going to be watching, and we have to elevate this up now earlier than they put much more consideration on us all over the world,” she stated, referring to Kansas Metropolis’s choice to host worldwide occasions.
The Westport Group Enchancment District issued an announcement responding to the lawsuit and civil rights assist, strongly refuting the allegations.
In its assertion, the Group Enchancment District stated, “The Westport Group Enchancment District strongly refutes the allegations made by Euphoric, Unikc, and The Sourze. Whereas we are able to’t talk about energetic litigation, we’re assured the info will present these claims are with out advantage. Westport is considered one of Kansas Metropolis’s most various and welcoming districts. For many years, folks of all backgrounds have lived, labored and opened companies right here. Variety isn’t only a worth we imagine in—it’s good enterprise and a key motive Westport stays a vibrant vacation spot.”
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