Wichita Gang List
Taking Action Against the Wichita Gang List
The List That Destroys Lives and Communities
For Black and LatinX folks in Wichita, equal justice under the law isn’t always possible. These Wichita community members have been surveilled, harassed, and punished specifically, often without notice and without cause.
The cause of this targeted abuse? The Wichita Gang List.
The Wichita Police Department identifies people as “gang members” and places them on the Gang List without notice or due process. Making it worse, this list is unavailable to the public, and there’s no recourse to remove your name from it—even if you’re innocent.
That’s why we teamed up with the ACLU of Kansas to file a class action lawsuit against the City of Wichita. It’s time to dismiss the list.
What the Gang List Does in Wichita
The Wichita Police Department created an arbitrary criteria by which they disproportionately label Black and Latinx community members as “gang” members. You don’t have to commit any crime to be blacklisted. By statute and WPD policy, you can placed on the Gang List because of:
- The color of clothing you wear.
- Where you hang out.
- Who you are photographed with.
- Several constitutionally-protected behaviors.
The data proves
WPD’s Gang List is discriminatory
10.9%
10.9% of Wichita’s population is Black, yet Black residents comprise 60% of the Gang List.
17.2%
17.2% of Wichita’s population is Latinx, yet they make up 25% percent of the Gang List.
62.8%
62.8% of Wichita’s population is White, yet they only make up 6% percent of Gang List.
Once on the Gang List, if a person is charged with a crime, they will face higher bond amounts, more severe probation and parole conditions, and enhanced sentences.
And even those without charges face punishment, including constant surveillance, harassment, and discriminatory policing by the WPD.
People on WPD’s Gang List find it difficult to participate in regular aspects of life, including seeing friends or loved ones. People on the List cannot be seen with other people on the List, or visit certain businesses or neighborhoods that WPD has classified as gang territory.
All Kansas deserve to fully participate in their communities and receive equal protection under the law.
According to the lawsuit, WPD’s use of the Gang List is unconstitutional and violates community members’ First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendment rights. Attorneys bringing the suit are asking for injunctive and declaratory relief, challenging both Kansas law and WPD policy. Plaintiffs ask that the City of Wichita immediately cease its use of the Gang List and prohibit the operation of a Gang List in the future.
Have you been directly impacted?
Kansas Appleseed and ACLU Kansas are challenging the use of the Gang List and looking for stories of how individuals have been affected by it. If you or someone you know have been affected by having your name entered into the Gang List, we’d like to hear your story. Please fill out the form below. All information will be kept confidential unless we contact you and get your permission to share it.
