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<!-- Per MOS:BOLDTITLE and WP:SBE, neither the article's title nor related text appears in bold. -->Protestors became rioting in [[Baltimore]], the largest city in the [[United States|American]] state of [[Maryland]], starting April 27, 2015, in reaction to the April 19 [[death of Freddie Gray]]. Gray, a 25-year-old [[African-American]] resident of the city, died in police custody a week after being arrested. Apparently in good health at the time of his arrest, Gray later sustained injuries to his spine and larynx. The cause and circumstances of his injuries have not been officially determined. Gray fell into a [[coma]] on April 12, and despite multiple surgical attempts, he never regained consciousness and died a week later. Six police officers have been suspended pending an investigation.
<!-- Per MOS:BOLDTITLE and WP:SBE, neither the article's title nor related text appears in bold. -->Protestors began rioting in [[Baltimore]], the largest city in the [[United States|American]] state of [[Maryland]], starting April 27, 2015, in reaction to the April 19 [[death of Freddie Gray]]. Gray, a 25-year-old [[African-American]] resident of the city, died in police custody a week after being arrested. Apparently in good health at the time of his arrest, Gray later sustained injuries to his spine and larynx. The cause and circumstances of his injuries have not been officially determined. Gray fell into a [[coma]] on April 12, and despite multiple surgical attempts, he never regained consciousness and died a week later. Six police officers have been suspended pending an investigation.


Peaceful protests were organized after his death, and apparently spontaneous protests started after the funeral service, although they eventually became marred with civil unrest and violence. As of April 28, at least twenty police officers have been injured, at least 250 people have been arrested, thousands of police and National Guard troops have been deployed, and a [[State of emergency#United States|state of emergency]] was declared in the city of Baltimore.<ref name=ReutersThousands />
Peaceful protests were organized after his death, and apparently spontaneous protests started after the funeral service, although they eventually became marred with civil unrest and violence. As of April 28, at least twenty police officers have been injured, at least 250 people have been arrested, thousands of police and National Guard troops have been deployed, and a [[State of emergency#United States|state of emergency]] was declared in the city of Baltimore.<ref name=ReutersThousands />

Revision as of 05:41, 29 April 2015

2015 Baltimore riots
Part of Death of Freddie Gray
Protest at the Baltimore Police Department Western District building.
DateApril 27, 2015 (2015-04-27) – present (2 days)
Location
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.

39°17′27″N 76°36′40″W / 39.290860°N 76.611024°W / 39.290860; -76.611024
Caused byThe death of Freddie Gray
MethodsProtests, rioting, arson, looting
StatusOngoing
Parties
Lead figures
Number
  • 3,000+ policemen[1]
  • 1,700-2,000 National Guardsmen
Injuries and arrests
Injuries20 police officers,[2] 2 people shot. One fire victim in critical condition.[3]
Arrested265[1][4]
State of Emergency declared effective April 27 until further notice.[5]
Mandatory curfew effective April 28-May 5 from 10pm-5am.[6]

Protestors began rioting in Baltimore, the largest city in the American state of Maryland, starting April 27, 2015, in reaction to the April 19 death of Freddie Gray. Gray, a 25-year-old African-American resident of the city, died in police custody a week after being arrested. Apparently in good health at the time of his arrest, Gray later sustained injuries to his spine and larynx. The cause and circumstances of his injuries have not been officially determined. Gray fell into a coma on April 12, and despite multiple surgical attempts, he never regained consciousness and died a week later. Six police officers have been suspended pending an investigation.

Peaceful protests were organized after his death, and apparently spontaneous protests started after the funeral service, although they eventually became marred with civil unrest and violence. As of April 28, at least twenty police officers have been injured, at least 250 people have been arrested, thousands of police and National Guard troops have been deployed, and a state of emergency was declared in the city of Baltimore.[1]

Events

April 25

A documentary video of the protests during the day of April 25th, before rioting started
Rioters breaking windows at a McDonald's on the evening of April 25, 2015

On April 25, 2015, protests were organized in downtown Baltimore. Protesters marched from the Baltimore City Hall to Inner Harbor. After the final stage of the official protest event, some protesters became violent. They damaged at least five police vehicles, and "pelted" police with rocks.[7]

During a press conference, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said most protesters were respectful but a "small group of agitators intervened".[8] She also stated that "It’s a very delicate balancing act. Because while we try to make sure that they were protected from the cars and other things that were going on, we also gave those who wished to destroy space to do that as well. And we worked very hard to keep that balance and to put ourselves in the best position to de-escalate.”[9] The phrase "we also gave those who wished to destroy space to do that as well" was interpreted by some conservative-leaning news sources[10][11][12] as an indication that the mayor was giving permission to protesters to destroy property, while some others, including Breitbart News Network, pointed out that "when you look at the full context, it’s clear the Mayor meant something different (though it’s also true she didn’t say it very clearly)."[13]

Two days later, the mayor's Director of Strategic Planning and Policy, Howard Libit, released a statement clarifying the mayor's remarks:

What she is saying within this statement was that there was an effort to give the peaceful demonstrators room to conduct their peaceful protests on Saturday. Unfortunately, as a result of providing the peaceful demonstrators with the space to share their message, that also meant that those seeking to incite violence also had the space to operate. The police sought to balance the rights of the peaceful demonstrators against the need to step in against those who were seeking to create violence. The mayor is not saying that she asked police to give space to people who sought to create violence. Any suggestion otherwise would be a misinterpretation of her statement.[14]

At least 34 people were arrested during the riots, and six police officers were injured.[8][15] As a result of the groups of violent protesters, individuals attending the Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox baseball game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards were asked to stay at the stadium for their safety.[16]

J.M. Giordano, a photographer for Baltimore City Paper, was taking pictures of the protest when he was "swarmed" and beaten by two police officers in riot gear.[17] Sait Serkan Gurbuz, a Reuters photographer with visible press credentials, who filmed the beating from a public sidewalk, was detained and taken away in the police van. He was later released and cited for disorderly conduct.[18] Thereafter, City Paper published a video on its website documenting the violence.[19][20]

A photograph of the April 25 rioters standing on a Baltimore police car was superimposed with the text "All HighSchools Monday @3 We Are Going To Purge From Mondawmin To The Ave, Back To Downtown #Fdl"[21] and distributed on social media[22] and as flyers.[23]

April 27

Freddie Gray was laid to rest at a peaceful service at the New Shiloh Baptist Church on April 27 at after a one-hour public viewing.[24] A large attendance included civil rights leaders, families of other people killed by police, and politicians including Congressman Elijah Cummings, Cabinet Secretary Broderick Johnson, White House adviser Heather Foster, and Elias Alcantara of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs.[25]

At , the University of Maryland Baltimore closed its campus, citing a police warning regarding "activities (that) may be potentially violent and UMB could be in the path of any violence."[26]

At , the "purge" called for on social media began at Mondawmin Mall, where police in riot gear awaited 75-100 people who appeared to be high school students, who began throwing bricks and bottles at them.[27] The violence rapidly spread,[28] and by later that day two patrol cars were destroyed and fifteen officers were injured.[26] A police cruiser was destroyed, and some officers suffered broken bones.[29] A CVS Pharmacy location in downtown Baltimore was looted and burned by protestors.[30] In reaction to the unrest, several places within the city closed early, including the University of Maryland campus in downtown Baltimore, Baltimore City Community College, Coppin State University, the Lexington Market, the National Aquarium, the Enoch Pratt Free Library system, and the Mondawmin Mall.[31][32]

A Baltimore Orioles baseball game against the Chicago White Sox scheduled for the evening at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, and the first of a three-game series,[33] was also postponed due to the unrest.[34]

April 28

At about , Baltimore television showed firefighters putting out fires and residents cleaning up after the overnight rioting.[35] National Guard transport vehicles arrived in Baltimore to provide security to vital infrastructure and to give additional support to police.[35] At about , the Baltimore mayor's office reported that there were 144 vehicle fires, 19 structural fires, and nearly 200 arrests.[35][36] One person has been badly hurt due to an arson.[36]

The Baltimore Ravens cancelled their NFL Draft Party in response to the protests.[37] After consulting with Major League Baseball, the Orioles announced that their second game against the White Sox would also be postponed, and that their game on April 29 would be played in the afternoon and closed to the public. This is believed to be the first such game in Major League Baseball history (it is occasionally seen in soccer) and thus set the record for lowest paid attendance (previously 6, set in 1882).[38] The two cancelled games will be made up as a doubleheader on May 28. The team also announced that its May 1–3 series against the Tampa Bay Rays would be moved from Camden Yards to Tropicana Field.[33]

Reactions

At a press conference in the evening, the mayor announced there would be a citywide curfew of 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. starting April 28.[6][39][40] Neighboring Anne Arundel and Baltimore Counties cancelled school field trips and activities scheduled in Baltimore City until May 3.[32][41] Officials also announced that Baltimore's city schools would be closed on Tuesday.[42]

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency, and activated the Maryland National Guard.[5][43] Major General Linda Singh of the Maryland National Guard commented that there would be a "massive number" of soldiers in Maryland on the night of April 27, and that up to 5,000 soldiers could be deployed.[44] Maryland State Police activated 500 officers for duty in Baltimore, and requested an additional 5,000 state police officers from other states.[45]

On April 28, President Barack Obama strongly condemned the violence during a White House press conference saying, "There’s no excuse for the kind of violence that we saw yesterday. It is counterproductive. ... When individuals get crowbars and start prying open doors to loot, they’re not protesting. They’re not making a statement. They’re stealing. When they burn down a building, they’re committing arson. And they’re destroying and undermining businesses and opportunities in their own communities. That robs jobs and opportunity from people in that area." Obama went on to applaud the actions of peaceful protesters whom he felt were being undermined by the violence, and called upon the nation to take meaningful action to collectively solve poverty and law enforcement issues fueling what he described "a crisis."[46]

The Los Angeles Police Department ordered officers to ride in pairs when in cars after Baltimore police determined there was a "credible threat" of gang violence against police officers across the country, claiming that the Black Guerrilla Family, the Bloods, and the Crips were "teaming up" to target police officers.[47][48] Later, however, leaders of both gangs denied the allegations,[49] released a video statement asking for calm and peaceful protest in the area,[50] and joined with police and clergy to enforce the curfew.[51]

When asked about game postponement, Baltimore Orioles chief operating officer John P. Angelos said,

My greater source of personal concern, outrage and sympathy ... is focused neither upon one night's property damage nor upon the acts, but is focused rather upon the past four-decade period during which an American political elite have shipped middle class and working class jobs away from Baltimore and cities and towns around the U.S. to third-world dictatorships ... plunged tens of millions of good hard working Americans into economic devastation and then followed that action around the nation by diminishing every American’s civil rights protections in order to control an unfairly impoverished population living under an ever-declining standard of living and suffering at the butt end of an ever-more militarized and aggressive surveillance state. The innocent working families of all backgrounds whose lives and dreams have been cut short by excessive violence, surveillance, and other abuses of the Bill of Rights by government pay the true price, an ultimate price, and one that far exceeds the importance of any kids' game played tonight, or ever....[52]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Simpson, Ian; Strobel, Warren (April 28, 2015). "Thousands of police descend on Baltimore to enforce curfew after riots". Reuters. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
  2. ^ "Baltimore riots live updates: About 200 arrested after violence, fires sweep city". Los Angeles Times. April 28, 2015. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  3. ^ Stolberg, Sheryl Gay (April 28, 2015). "Baltimore's Streets Fill With Civilians and National Guard Troops". New York Times. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
  4. ^ "'Now they have a war': troops roll in to Baltimore as Obama urges US to start 'soul-searching'". www.theguardian.com. April 28, 2015. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
  5. ^ a b Shapiro, Emily (April 27, 2015). "Maryland Gov. Declares State of Emergency After Violent Clashes in Baltimore". ABC News. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
  6. ^ a b Muskal, Michael; Hennigan, W.J. (April 27, 2015). "Baltimore mayor orders curfew; 'thugs' trying to tear down city, she says". latimes.com. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
  7. ^ Stolberg, Sheryl Grey (August 27, 2015). "National Guard Activated in Baltimore as Police and Youths Clash After Funeral for Freddie Gray". New York Times. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  8. ^ a b Marquez, Miguel; Almasy, Steve (April 25, 2015). "Freddie Gray death: 12 arrested during protests - CNN.com". CNN. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
  9. ^ Baltimore Mayor: ‘Gave Those Who Wished to Destroy Space to Do That’, CBS News Baltimore, April 25, 2015
  10. ^ "Baltimore Mayor: Space Was Provided To Those Who 'Wished To Destroy'". dailycaller.com. April 26, 2015. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  11. ^ "Baltimore Mayor Gave Protesters 'Permission to Riot'". newsmax.com. April 28, 2015. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  12. ^ "Baltimore mayor's 'balancing act' gave protestors permission to turn violent". foxnews.com. April 27, 2015. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  13. ^ "Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake: I Did Not Intentionally Give Space to Those Wanting to 'Destroy'". breitbart.com. April 27, 2015. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  14. ^ Kevin Harris (April 27, 2015). "Rawlings-Blake Administration Issues Statement Regarding Mayor's Comments on the Rights of Protesters". Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  15. ^ Wenger, Yvonne; Campbell, Colin. City leader calls for peace after 35 arrested, 6 officers injured, Baltimore Sun, April 26, 2015.
  16. ^ "Fans at Orioles-Red Sox asked to stay in Camden Yards after violent protest". USA Today. April 25, 2015. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  17. ^ Serpick, Evan (April 26, 2015). "City Paper photo editor J.M. Giordano beaten by police at Freddie Gray protest". City Paper (Baltimore). Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  18. ^ Serpick, Evan (April 26, 2015). "City Paper photo editor J.M. Giordano beaten by police at Freddie Gray protest". City Paper (Baltimore). Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  19. ^ Serpick, Evan (April 26, 2015). "City Paper photo editor J.M. Giordano beaten by police at Freddie Gray protest". City Paper (Baltimore). Retrieved April 27, 2015.
  20. ^ Associated Press (April 25, 2015). "The Latest: Baltimore mayor calls for peace after protests". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
  21. ^ Image cited in New York Times "Mapping the Clashes"
  22. ^ "Mapping the Clashes Between Baltimore Police and Protesters". New York Times. April 27, 2015.
  23. ^ "Baltimore Purge: Flyers Imitating 'The Purge' Reportedly Called For Violence, Contributed To Riots". Inquistr. April 28, 2015.
  24. ^ "Freddie Gray Funeral Held Amid Alleged Credible Threat to Law Enforcement". ABC News. April 27, 2015.
  25. ^ Holly Yan and Ashley Fantz (April 27, 2015). "Freddie Gray funeral draws White House officials, Eric Garner's family". CNN.
  26. ^ a b Bacon, John (April 27, 2015). "Baltimore police, protesters clash; 15 officers hurt". USA Today. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
  27. ^ Eric Fuchs (April 28, 2015). "A confrontation between cops and teenagers kicked off the horrifying Baltimore riots". Business Insider.
  28. ^ "**LIVE UPDATES** Baltimore Officers Injured After High Schoolers Call for 'Purge'". Breitbart. April 27, 2015.
  29. ^ "7 officers wounded in Baltimore protests". HeraldTribune.com. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  30. ^ Ford, Dana (April 27, 2015). "Baltimore protests turn violent; police injured - CNN.com". CNN. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
  31. ^ Stolberg, Sheryl Gay (April 27, 2015). "National Guard Called Out in Baltimore as Police and Youths Clash After Funeral for Freddie Gray". The New York Times. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
  32. ^ a b Staff, WMAR. "Concerns over violence leads to area closings in Baltimore". WMAR. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
  33. ^ a b "Orioles-White Sox game will be played Wednesday, closed to public". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  34. ^ "Tonight's Orioles game postponed amid violence downtown". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
  35. ^ a b c "LATEST ON POLICE-CUSTODY DEATH: OBAMA: NO EXCUSE FOR RIOT". Associated Press. April 28, 2015. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  36. ^ a b "Baltimore riots: Security beefed up, cleanup starts after looting, fires". CNN. April 28, 2015. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  37. ^ Eaton, Adam (April 28, 2015). "Orioles postpone game vs. White Sox amid riots in Baltimore". ESPN. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  38. ^ Steve Almasy (April 28, 2015). "Orioles game on Wednesday will have no fans". CNN. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  39. ^ Al Jazeera and The Associated Press (April 27, 2015). "Violent clashes flare in Baltimore after Freddie Gray funeral | Al Jazeera America". america.aljazeera.com. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
  40. ^ Associated Press (April 27, 2015). "Baltimore Mayor Imposes Curfew, Says 'Thugs' Trying To Tear Down City". CBS Baltimore. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
  41. ^ "Gov. declares state of emergency; activates National Guard". WBAL-TV. April 27, 2015. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
  42. ^ Bacon, John; Welch, William M. (April 27, 2015). "Baltimore police, protesters clash; 15 officers hurt". USA TODAY. Retrieved April 27, 2015. Police said more than two dozen people were arrested. The city's schools were canceled for Tuesday.
  43. ^ "Governor Larry Hogan Signs Executive Order Declaring State Of Emergency, Activating National Guard" (PDF). Government of Maryland. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
  44. ^ Laughland, Oliver; Lewis, Paul; Jacobs, Ben; Swaine, Jon (April 27, 2015). "Baltimore state of emergency declared as Freddie Gray protesters clash with police – live". Guardian.
  45. ^ @matthewhaybrown (April 27, 2015). "Maryland State Police activating 500 officers for Baltimore; requesting up to 5,000 from neighboring states" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  46. ^ "President Obama Condemns Violence After More Than 200 People Are Arrested in Baltimore". ktla.com. April 28, 2015. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  47. ^ Winton, Richard (April 27, 2015). "LAPD officers to ride in pairs after Baltimore police warn of gang threat". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
  48. ^ Baltimore Sun (April 27, 2015). "Baltimore police say gangs 'teaming up' to take out officers". baltimoresun.com. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  49. ^ Porter, Tom (April 28, 2015). "Bloods and Crips gangs reject claims of kill-a-cop pact". International Business Times. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
  50. ^ "Gangs call for calm in Baltimore". Baltimore Sun. April 27, 2015. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
  51. ^ Berman, John; Castillo, Mariano (April 28, 2015). "Baltimore gangs will help enforce curfew". CNN. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
  52. ^ Mosendz, Polly (April 27, 2015). "As Riots Consume Baltimore, Orioles Postpone Baseball Game". Newsweek. Retrieved April 29, 2015.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to 2015 Baltimore riots.
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