Both human and women's rights advocates descended on the Independence City Council meeting Monday night in hopes of getting a chance to voice their concerns to the council over the treatment of Yvette Hayes.

Hayes is the Kansas City elementary school principal who alleged Independence police used racial profiling practices to pull her over during a traffic stop July 13. Hayes, then six-months pregnant, was ordered out of her car backwards, made to throw her keys to the ground and was forced to lie face down on the pavement as cars zoomed by on Interstate 70. Hayes has also filed formal complaints with the department's Internal Affairs Unit claiming false imprisonment, false arrest and malicious prosecution.

"As a woman, as a community advocate with a human rights organization, we try to insist and help everyone that we can," said Evaline Taylor, vice-president for the National Association of Human Rights in America. "It (unfair treatment) can happen to Yvette Hayes, it can happen to me, it can happen to my daughter. This is the type of issue that we take on."

Taylor said Independence police’s treatment of the pregnant Hayes was unfair, unjust and uncalled for. She said the fact Independence has an reputation in the African-American community for unfair police practices makes the situation worth fighting for.

"African-American women need to step out more so than anyone," Taylor said, adding Hayes' case is not the first of its kind in the metropolitan area. "We will not tolerate this behavior."

Sharon Lockhart of the National Organization for Women said Hayes' case only highlights the frustration women, especially women of color, feel when dealing with law enforcement. She added her radio show, Every Woman, on KKFI-90.1 FM, constantly addresses concerns such as Hayes'.

"We are going to have to tell legislators to change the law," regarding detaining pregnant women, Lockhart said. "Because if we don’t its going to be going on for eternity."

Support for Hayes extended far above racial or sex-orientated lines.

"I heard about this case on Sharon Lockhart's show and I was shocked," said Patricia Ingraham, a middle aged caucasian woman from Kansas City. "I figure if this can happen to this woman, it could happen to any woman."

"I see the Chief up here making excuses for himself and his department," said Phil Lindsey of Independence.

Independence Police Chief Fred Mills had just addressed the media about Hayes' treatment. Mills insisted during the media briefing that the Independence officers who Hayes accused of racial profiling did everything according to law (see related story).

"They investigate themselves and say they did nothing wrong," Lindsey continued. "From what I see, he probably sees a pattern of behavior that he doesn't want to address or have exposed. I don’t know for sure if these (arresting officers) are totally culpable."

The advocacy groups were rebuffed from meeting with the City Council for not following the proper procedure to address the board. They have vowed to return to Independence Nov. 5.