The Kansas City Streetcar extension project has come under intense scrutiny following a federal racial discrimination lawsuit filed by six Black and Hispanic workers. The workers allege they endured a culture of racial hostility and harassment — including slurs, threats, and intimidation — allegedly fostered by a foreman with ties to the Proud Boys, a far-right extremist group.
The lawsuit, initially filed in Jackson County Circuit Court and later moved to U.S. District Court in Kansas City, claims a pattern of racial discrimination, harassment, and retaliation across the project’s job sites.
The Plaintiffs and Defendants
According to The Kansas City Star, the plaintiffs — Javier Buendia, Jonas Buendia, Oliver Curry, Carl Hunt, Joseph Martin, and Charles Watkins — accuse several contractors and unions of enabling or ignoring racist behavior.
The defendants include:
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Herzog Contracting Corporation
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Stacey and Witbeck
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KC Streetcar Constructors (a joint venture of the two firms)
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International Union of Operating Engineers Local No. 101
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Heavy Construction Laborers Local No. 663
Additionally, three individuals — Bryce Shields, Josh Ayres, and Chris Greenwood — are named as defendants.
Claims of Racist Abuse and Harassment
The lawsuit alleges that the six men faced daily and weekly racial harassment, including slurs, threats, and violence. Lawyers for the plaintiffs wrote that the workers were “at the mercy of the terroristic whims of whomever chose to target them.”
The plaintiffs claim that company management and union leaders failed to intervene or enforce anti-harassment policies. The suit seeks damages for emotional distress and workplace discrimination.
A Foreman’s Proud Boys Connection
According to the lawsuit, at least one foreman involved in the project was allegedly a member of the Proud Boys, a white nationalist group known for violent political extremism. It remains unclear which of the named defendants has that affiliation.
The Proud Boys, labeled a terrorist organization in several countries, gained national attention after former President Donald Trump told them to “stand back and stand by” during a 2020 debate.
Disturbing Incidents Reported by Workers
The lawsuit outlines numerous racist incidents, including racial slurs, threats of lynching, and physical assaults:
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One foreman allegedly referred to Black workers as “monkeys” and said, “These monkeys I have on my crew ‘bout to drive me crazy.”
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Oliver Curry, one of the plaintiffs, reported that a white co-worker threatened to “find a tree to put it in,” a comment Curry interpreted as a lynching threat.
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Curry also claims that when a colleague called him the N-word repeatedly, the Proud Boys–affiliated foreman witnessed the incident but took no action.
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Another supervisor allegedly remarked that Black men “should end up in a noose.”
In addition, the plaintiffs claim Black employees were falsely accused of theft, physically assaulted, and threatened with further violence by white co-workers.
Violent Assault Allegations
In one 2023 incident described in the suit, white workers allegedly attacked a Black man suspected of breaking into a worksite. The assailants allegedly tied him up, duct-taped his mouth, and beat him, with one shouting, “Back where I’m from, we lynch people like you.” Another allegedly offered to drag the man with his truck.
These disturbing details, if true, paint a picture of a deeply hostile and unsafe work environment.
Management’s Alleged Cover-Up
Despite holding a meeting in November 2023 to discuss racism and harassment complaints, attorneys claim project management failed to discipline any accused employees. Instead, they allege that management covered up records of harassment.
According to the lawsuit:
“The change in policy and the expungement of employee records indicates an attempt to clear the record of any evidence of racial or sexual harassment.”
Attorneys argue that this cover-up demonstrates company knowledge of the racial hostility and a refusal to act.
Broader Context: Racism in Construction Workplaces
This lawsuit sheds light on a longstanding issue in the construction industry — the prevalence of racial discrimination on job sites. Black and Hispanic workers have long reported being subjected to racist remarks, exclusion, and harassment in predominantly white labor environments.
As the case progresses, the Kansas City Streetcar extension — once a symbol of local progress — is now facing questions about accountability, workplace culture, and oversight.
Conclusion
The allegations against the Kansas City Streetcar project and its contractors represent more than just a legal dispute — they highlight deep racial divisions that continue to plague American workplaces. For the plaintiffs, their case is not only about justice but also about changing a culture of racism and silence.
Good luck to the plaintiffs — their fight is one that resonates far beyond Missouri.
