Thread: National Guard Deployed as Violence Engulfs Baltimore

Police officials in Baltimore say National Guard troops are taking up positions in parts of the eastern U.S. city, which was engulfed by rioting after the funeral of Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old black man who died from injuries sustained while in police custody earlier this month.

Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake called it "one of the darkest days" Baltimore has ever faced. She declared a weeklong nighttime curfew, while Maryland Governor Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency and activated the National Guard.

"I understand anger. What we see isn't anger, it's the destruction of a community," the mayor told reporters late Monday, calling the protesters "thugs."

The protests began as hundreds of high school students marched towards a local mall after classes had dismissed for the day, then spread and out across several neighborhoods, overwhelming the police department's ability to prevent the violence.

Television footage showed a pharmacy in flames shortly after it was looted by rioters. Demonstrators were also caught throwing rocks, bricks, glass bottles and other objects at riot police. Police Commissioner Anthony Betts said 15 officers were injured in the clashes, three of them suffering serious injuries.

As the night wore on, more fires erupted throughout the city, including a church-run senior center that was still under construction.

The sister of Freddie Gray condemned the rioting. "I think the violence is wrong... I don't like it at all," Fredericka Gray said late Monday.

Thousands of mourners had gathered Monday at a Baltimore church to pay their respects to Freddie Gray, whose death has become the latest incident sparking questions and protests about interactions between minorities and police in the United States.

Gray suffered severe spinal cord injuries following his arrest on April 12. Officials said he was not restrained properly while being transported in a police van. Police Commissioner Betts said officers were slow to recognize that Gray, who apparently had asthma, needed medical attention.

Six officers who had contact with Gray have been placed on paid administrative leave.

U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch, who was sworn in Monday just hours before the violence erupted, met with President Barack Obama at the White House to discuss the federal government's response to the unrest. Lynch later issued a statement condemning what she called "the senseless acts of violence by some individuals in Baltimore." She promised to deploy the full resources of the Justice Department in "protecting those under threat, investigating wrongdoing, and securing an end to violence."

The Justice Department and the FBI have a civil rights investigation into Gray's death. The Baltimore Police Department said more information on the case is expected this Friday, May 1.


National Guard Deployed as Violence Engulfs Baltimore

the mayor told reporters late Monday, calling the protesters "thugs"

But doesn't call the murderous cops anything? Police state America.

Originally Posted by Stinky

Police state America.

In many ways that aren't recognized as such.
Always been this way and not likely to changed.

The population remains comatose.

Television footage showed a pharmacy in flames shortly after it was looted by rioters. Demonstrators were also caught throwing rocks, bricks, glass bottles and other objects at riot police. Police Commissioner Anthony Betts said 15 officers were injured in the clashes, three of them suffering serious injuries.

Originally Posted by thaimeme

The population remains comatose.

How so, Jeff?

Good timing for Jade Helm


The US will enter a civil war soon.

It really seems like America are at war with each other.

This Black White issues seems to be getting worse.

I dunno, I don't live there but people must have an uneasy feeling in many States huh.

is texpat a nigger or a cracker ?

Whitey done me wrong! I'll burn down my house!

Originally Posted by baldrick

is texpat a nigger or a cracker ?

He's worse...a Texan. I'm a cracker so I should know....

Great video circulating...called Mom of the Year. Shows a large black lady who spots her teenage son slipping on a ski mask and getting ready to join the looters.

She wades into the crowd and slaps the crap out of him and drags him home by the ear.

Well done!

Fully expect Baltimore to go down the same primrose path that Ferguson has traveled. On the news today, (as it was with Ferguson), they have the same platform of reporting, identical, other than the location. Residents bemoaning the destruction of their community, i.e. the tragic death of Freddie Gray does not justify protests that devolve into rioting and looting, which, in effect, provide for the total destruction of the community.

Baltimore: From AP Apr 28, 2015 5:47AM Riots in Baltimore raise questions about police response

"I understand anger, but what we're seeing isn't anger," Rawlings-Blake said. "It's disruption of a community. The same community they say they care about, they're destroying. You can't have it both ways."


Ferguson update: KSDK-TV, St. Louis March 15, 2015 Ferguson business owners call for end to unrest

FERGUSON, Mo. — Ferguson business owners are sending a dire message as they plead for calm. Some of them say their sales are down by 80% since August, and they're afraid their businesses won't survive if the unrest continues.



With an 80% drop in sales – how can a business survive?

When the businesses fold, the jobs disappear, less jobs = less pay = less money = less sales = less businesses. The cycle of poverty becomes entrenched. How long does it take for the poverty cycle to be broken?

And, how can breaking the cycle be accomplished?

Originally Posted by CSFFan

Originally Posted by baldrick

is texpat a nigger or a cracker ?

He's worse...a Texan. I'm a cracker so I should know....

U sure? I read that Texpat stood for T(hai)expat.
I don't think he's even American. I suspect he's French.

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

I don't think he's even American. I suspect he's French.

You know, that would explain a lot. I wonder if he's met Butters....

I have met Texprat. I haven't met Butters. Or could they be the same person?

Originally Posted by Pragmatic

I have met Texprat. I haven't met Butters. Or could they be the same person?

They could be, they're both cum guzzlers and they both like it up the gary glitter.

Simple solutions - "Parenting"

VIDEO: Angry mom beats son suspected of rioting in Baltimore | abc7.com

Where is McNulty from The Wire when you need him?

Originally Posted by Koojo

Are you sure he hasn't called them anything?

The mayor of Baltimore is a black woman.

Give them space to destroy, said the mayor! Seems like a beta test to me.

Baltimore riots: Obama condemns 'criminals'
4 hours ago
From the section US & Canada
Jump media playerMedia player helpOut of media player. Press enter to return or tab to continue.
Media caption
President Obama spoke of the need to help "lift up" communities
Baltimore riots

LIVE Baltimore protests
What a riot does achieve
'My customers ransacked my shop'
Why did Baltimore burn?
President Barack Obama has said police violence against African-Americans is a "slow-rolling crisis" after a night of violence in Baltimore.
But Mr Obama said those who looted and started fires on Monday "should be treated like criminals".
The rioting came after the funeral of Freddie Gray, a black man fatally injured in police custody in Baltimore.
A week-long curfew has been announced and thousands of troops have been deployed to the city.
The National Guard has been sent to Baltimore to stop unrest for the first time since 1968, when some of the city's neighbourhoods went up in flames after the assassination of the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.
On Tuesday evening, hundreds of protesters took to the streets to express their frustration with what they see as excessive police force.
The peaceful demonstrations were a contrast to the day before, when about 200 people were arrested as more than 100 cars were set alight and 15 buildings destroyed.
Jump media playerMedia player helpOut of media player. Press enter to return or tab to continue.
Media caption
Aerial footage shows fires in Baltimore and violent protests
Mr Obama harshly criticised "a handful of people" for "senseless violence and destruction".
"That is not a protest, that is not a statement, they are stealing."
But the US president said the rioting had distracted from the frustration over Gray's death.
"This has been a slow-rolling crisis. This has been going on for a long time. This is not new. And we shouldn't pretend that it's new," Mr Obama said.
He added such problems would not be solved just by changes to policing.
Local people clean out the CVS Pharmacy in Baltimore, Maryland, April 28, 2015,
Community members help clean up a looted and burned pharmacy store
Members of the community work to clean up a recently looted and burned CVS store in Baltimore, Maryland, United States April 28, 2015
"It would require everybody saying this is important, this is significant, and that we don't just pay attention to these communities when a CVS burns and we don't just pay attention when a young man gets shot or has his spine snapped."
At an afternoon briefing, Baltimore Captain Eric Kowalczyk was asked why the police had not responded with more resources to prevent fires and rioting.
He said police had originally deployed for a "high school event", expecting young students.
"I don't think there's anyone in the country that would expect us to deploy automatic weapons and armoured vehicles to an event with 13, 14 and 15 year olds," but saw it turned into an incident that drew in older troublemakers and escalated in violence.
line
At the scene: Rajini Vaidyanathan, BBC News
A man sweeping in front of the CVS
It's been hours since the CVS was set alight here at Pennsylvania Avenue in Baltimore, but fire fighters are still battling the flames.
Earlier the stench of burning fumes filled the air as groups of people, armed with brooms and bin bags helped clear the mess from the night before.
As the day progressed the crowds of protestors built up. A line of police, wearing full riot gear and carrying batons and shields have been blocking one of the road's here.
For most of the afternoon protestors, danced and beat drums close by. There was the air of a carnival - a contrast to the violence this same area witnesses just the night before.

Baltimore riots: Obama condemns 'criminals' - BBC News

Don’t hire veterans! They’re crazy!

Given the rates of mental illness amongst them, that's probably a fair comment.

The U.S. is obviously a divided nation.
This will only create further ill will and divide.
This obviously isn't a 'gun' state.

Sitting here watching CNN and the situatuon in Baltimore with regard to police enforcing the 10pm curfew. So far, I have to give the police kudos for controlling the situation. Yes Terry, it seems the Black/White issue has resurfaced.

Don't see too many whites within the crowd protesting the curfew. I do, however, see many black police officers. It is pretty simple in the US when it comes to breaking the law. Unlike many unnamed countries, if you break the law, chances are there will be consequences. If you are speeding in a car, expect to get a ticket. If you drive the wrong way on a road wihout lights, expect a stiff fine. If you are out after curfew, expect to get arrested.

It is too bad things like his happen and it is a shame America still has a divide between races.