After the funeral of Freddie Gray – the unarmed 25-year-old black man who died in a hospital on April 19 after being taken into police custody a week earlier – mass riots erupted in Baltimore. Beginning at Mondawmin Mall in the city’s northwest, riots spread to other parts of Baltimore. Police vehicles were lit on fire. Businesses were looted. Nearly 235 were arrested and at least 20 police officers were injured.
The governor of Maryland declared a state of emergency.
Peaceful protests have carried on throughout Tuesday, with demonstrators emphasizing that calm is the best way to honor Freddie Gray. In anticipation of a potential repeat Tuesday night, a heavy police presence has filled the sites of Monday’s demonstrations.
— Sputnik US (@SputnikNewsUS) April 28, 2015
— Shomari Stone (@shomaristone) April 28, 2015
— WPXI (@WPXITarget11) April 28, 2015
500 soldiers of the Maryland National Guard were deployed Tuesday morning, and that number has now climbed closer to 2,000. Over 1,000 police officers from Maryland and neighboring states will also patrol the streets.
City officials have also enacted a curfew which begins Tuesday night. Put in place for a one week period, the curfew begins at 10 pm, with the only exception being for those who are working or in urgent medical need.
— Matt Ackland (@mattacklandfox5) April 28, 2015
A Baltimore Orioles baseball game scheduled for Tuesday night has been postponed, and another game scheduled for Wednesday will continue, but with doors closed to the public.
Public schools, which were closed Tuesday, will be open on Wednesday.
— Shomari Stone (@shomaristone) April 28, 2015
— Paul Wagner (@Fox5Wagner) April 28, 2015
"They are not going to be in danger, and…their property will be protected," Governor Hogan said earlier, referring to Baltimore’s businesses and residents. "We’re not going to have another repeat of what happened last night. It’s not going to happen tonight."
