Baltimore Torn by Riots After Funeral for Freddie Gray, Who Died After Police Severed 80% of His Spine
The City of Baltimore is currently convulsing in civil unrest as people upset about the violent death of Freddie Gray by police have turned to rioting.
The New York Times reports that the violence began after Gray's funeral when some protesters split off from the thousands paying respects to Gray and began to throw rocks at the police. The violence quickly escalated from there.
Images of looters and burning vehicles circulated widely on Twitter.
Only the essentials.. #BaltimoreRiots pic.twitter.com/qcq971tdeu
— yo quiero taco (@daykneeaj) April 27, 2015
If you could loot 1 item and not get caught, what would it be? Apparently toilet tissue. #BaltimoreRiots pic.twitter.com/3PyUJuoMjf — Mike Powers® (@MikePowersVideo) April 27, 2015
You don't speak out against violence... with more violence ! #baltimoreriots pic.twitter.com/xO6AM6hw6a
— Constant Mbala (@MbalaConstant) April 27, 2015
A police car and van burned on the streets of Baltimore. #BaltimoreRiots pic.twitter.com/Q4k6W9oQLK — Brian Todd (@BrianToddCNN) April 27, 2015
It's smoke everywhere at North and Pennsylvania. Baltimore. pic.twitter.com/zW3jk6laLy
— deray mckesson (@deray) April 27, 2015
A number of police officers were said to have been injured in the clashes. The police used tear gas and rubber bullets to try and regain control of the streets.
As day turned to night, and the protests' intensity did not subside, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency, activating the Maryland National Guard.
