Lamonte McIntyre, recently freed after spending more than 20 years in prison for a crime he did not commit, will turn on the lights Friday during the Mayor’s Holiday Lighting festival in front of City Hall. Earlier in the event, Unified Government officials will unveil a new street sign honoring former Mayor Carol Marinovich.
“It is fitting that we honor Mayor Marinovich with this sign given the breadth of her contributions,” said Mark Holland, mayor and CEO of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas. “Twenty years ago, she led the effort to consolidate our city and county governments, ushering in a new era of good government and unprecedented economic development.”
McIntyre, Mayor Holland said, is an inspiration and model of perseverance in the face of adversity. “I cannot begin to imagine what it was like for Mr. McIntyre to lose more than two decades of his life for a crime he did not commit,” Mayor Holland said. “Inviting him to turn on the lights is our way, however small relative to what he has endured, of welcoming Mr. McIntyre back to our community. We are very grateful and honored that he has accepted this invitation.”
The annual lighting ceremony, a free event open to the public, will include family friendly activities, performances, snacks and crafts.
It will be from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, in front of the City Hall at 701 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kansas.
At 4:30 p.m., the Mayor Marinovich sign will be unveiled at 7th and Barnett.
At 7:15 p.m., Lamonte McIntyre will turn on the holiday lights.
– Information from Mayor Mark Holland’s office