After a barrage of criticism and national attention, Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake has started backpedaling over top of her original statement of; “I wanted to give space to those who wanted to destroy.”
“I’ve made it very clear that I work with the police and instructed them to do everything that they could to make sure that the protesters were able to exercise their right to free speech,” Rawlings-Blake said during a press conference Saturday night.
Many Baltimore officials are now speaking out about the riots in their city, and here’s what has been said so far:
— Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake announced that the city will impose a mandatory curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily, effective for one week starting on Tuesday. She noted that the city already has a mandatory curfew for juveniles. “What we see tonight that is going on in our city is very disturbing,” said Rawlings-Blake. “Too many people have spent generations building up this city for it to be destroyed by thugs who in a very senseless way are trying to tear down what so many have fought for.” This statement is quite different from her original intent though as depicted in the following video;
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency and activated the National Guard.
“This afternoon, a group of outrageous criminals attacked our officers. Right now, we have seven officers that have serious injuries, including broken bones, and one officer who is unconscious,” Capt. Eric Kowalczyk told reporters as he vowed to find the attackers and put them in jail.
UPDATE: All of the officers who were injured earlier while protecting the Mondawmin Community are being treated for their injuries.
— Baltimore Police (@BaltimorePolice) April 27, 2015
We are receiving reports of a group of criminals looting a store at Eutaw Street and E Lexington Street. — Baltimore Police (@BaltimorePolice) April 28, 2015
A general curfew will be in effect in Baltimore City from 10pm Apr 28 – 5am May 4th unless renewed or rescinded by order of the Mayor.
— Baltimore Police (@BaltimorePolice) April 28, 2015
2/2: These attacks were unprovoked while our officers protecting the citizens who live and work in the Mondawmin community. — Baltimore Police (@BaltimorePolice) April 28, 2015
There is a large fire burning at Federal Street and Gay Street. Motorists should avoid this area. Expect delays.
— Baltimore Police (@BaltimorePolice) April 28, 2015
Earlier today, the Baltimore Police Department stated it received a “credible threat” that local ganga were teaming up to “take out” all officers. They did not say where the threat came form, or that it was tied directly to the death of Freddie Gray, who died in police custody under unclear circumstances. Gray’s death sparked the ongoing protests in this city, raising tensions among its residents and law enforcement.
34 arrested in Baltimore protests over #FreddieGray‘s death; Gray’s family calls for calm http://t.co/v8NNDFj31s pic.twitter.com/wBGi43b7AJ
— KTLA (@KTLA) April 26, 2015
UPDATE: ‘About 27 arrest, 15 officers injured’ – Col. Darryl D. DeSousa http://t.co/KrKMiHcK7e #BaltimoreRiots pic.twitter.com/oxHkGUkA43 — RT America (@RT_America) April 28, 2015
As the riots continue to rage out-of-control, our prayers go out to all the law enforcement officers and innocent citizens who’ve been affected by the “hostile” and “criminal” activities perpetrated by cockroaches who have crawled out from the city’s sewer system. Our country has always given its citizens to protest, voice grievances and assemble, but this is not the way they intended.
Patrick James has worked as a firefighter/EMT for several services throughout the years, as well as a custom metal fabricator, certified personal trainer and chef.
Growing up in the rural suburbs of Detroit, it was during his frequent trips to Northern Michigan where he learned of his love for hunting and fishing. Spending several of his adult years in upstate South Carolina, his love of extreme sports took root in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains as he learned to rock climb and kayak.
“Courage and perseverance have a magical talisman, before which difficulties disappear and vanish into air.” ~ John Quincy Adams
Rawlings-Blake, so u are the cause of this riot,u have allowed thugs a freedom of speech but u have cause this riot what are u going to do to remedy something u allowed that didn’t work, ur not a good politic u don’t deserve ur seat