The City of Baltimore finds itself today in a state of emergency following protests that ensued after the funeral of 25-year-old Freddie Gray, who died while in police custody one week after his arrest from severe spinal cord injuries (Gray was arrested on April 12 on foot pursuit, and seen on video yelling as he was hauled into a police van. He arrived at the police station house with 80 percent of his spinal column severed. Results from an “exhaustive investigation” are due out May 1st.).
(Image Source via The Guardian)
Maryland called in the national guard and declared a state of emergency once riots, looting, and arson erupted Monday night after Gray’s funeral. With injured police officers and the number of arrests steadily increasing, Maryland State Police and Maryland National Guard are enforcing a citywide curfew in hopes of bringing order to the violent state of the city.
For more coverage on this developing story, watch the video below:
In the midst of this incredibly difficult time in her life, Freddie Gray’s mother spoke out, asking for a stop to the protests and disruption of the city. The emotionally charged situation has strong opinions on both sides, making tensions that have been rising over the course of the past week finally erupt in tragic circumstances.
Watch the video below as Freddie Gray’s mother pleads for protesters to stop destroying the city:
While I can only imagine the pain this family is in as well as the frustration this community feels, the violence and rioting is only destroying a city built so diligently by its people. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved in hoping that a peaceful resolution can be achieved soon.
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