Black America’s frustration and anger over racialized police brutality ratcheted up another notch in a post-Ferguson landscape last night, as major protests ground Baltimore to a halt over the death of Freddie Gray.
#FreddieGray‘s death has prompted protests in Baltimore #blacklivesmatter http://t.co/OJ27Nvy5EY pic.twitter.com/Z6tDhn9Jwo
— The Root (@TheRoot) April 22, 2015
On April 19, a 25-year-old black man named Freddie Gray died in Baltimore, a week after police arrested him on April 12. Gray, who was not under suspicion for a crime at the time he fled authorities, ran because he feared a police beating, a friend told the Baltimore Sun. Cellphone video surfaced showing him screaming in pain as police dragged him to a waiting van without calling for medical assistance.
https://twitter.com/THEAlleyeceeing/status/589799596420898817
Gray was not under suspicion for a crime at the time of his arrest. After he saw police, he ran away from them, prompting the police to give chase. The six officers involved in Gray’s arrest were later suspended with pay. Although they claimed that they arrested him “without force,” Gray’s injuries at the time of his death included a severed spine and a smashed voice box.
The pastor at Empowerment Temple in Baltimore announces to parishioners that #FreddieGray has died. #March2Justice pic.twitter.com/P3gNTxX4yO
— respectful huff (@alexqarbuckle) April 19, 2015
The Baltimore Sun reports that the city has paid millions over the last six years to settle lawsuits alleging extreme violence on the part of its police force. On Friday, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake described the police department’s handling of the arrest as “unacceptable.”
#FreddieGray was:
— deray (@deray) April 25, 2015
A. illegally stopped.
B. conscious entering the van.
C. unconscious leaving the van.
D. murdered by Baltimore police.
Social media played a major part in documenting last night’s events, including violence on both sides.
RT @sycobuny Jesus Christ this photo #Baltimore #FreddieGray pic.twitter.com/rzFS807mS0
— Queens Child Project & Tubi Films Project Manager (@SoloChills) April 26, 2015
#FreddieGray protesters smashing windows of #Baltimore police cars pic.twitter.com/BwesGXzoa0
— Colin Campbell (@cmcampbell6) April 25, 2015
Baltimore protesters expect police brutality demonstrations to continue as outrage simmers http://t.co/FMmFsqM8Kg #FreddieGray
— Mashable (@mashable) April 24, 2015
https://twitter.com/303G14/status/592351655372333056
One video shows protests escalating as white bystanders throw objects back at the protestors and police attempt to get them to safety:
Baltimore caught between making history and living up to its reputation. #FreddieGray http://t.co/s4L1tsqT7d
— BR McDonald (@BRMacJR) April 26, 2015
Compilation footage shows protests proceeding peacefully, then eventually escalating as protestors vandalized police cars:
https://twitter.com/OccuWorld/status/592351508655525889
Footage also showed police holding down and beating Baltimore photojournalist J.M. Giordano, who documented the incident along with the protests on his Instagram account:
Although media reports described the protests as chaotic, on Twitter, witnesses claimed that wasn’t the case, and many accounts showed peaceful protest.
https://twitter.com/mims/status/592303796799283202
The New Jim Crow. Protest. Baltimore. #FreddieGray https://t.co/TJFcMnaIFV
— deray (@deray) April 23, 2015
#HAPPENINGNOW: #FreddieGray protestors blocking intersection at MLK Ave. and Pennsylvania Ave. at this hour. pic.twitter.com/HBlc5PknkN
— WJZ | CBS Baltimore (@wjz) April 22, 2015
https://twitter.com/rousseau_ist/status/589857714613936129
Dramatic scene: children join protestors for #FreddieGray– sitting on street, blocking major intersection. #Sitroom pic.twitter.com/fwqeyhwut7
— Brian Todd (@BrianToddCNN) April 22, 2015
https://twitter.com/heyyymickeyyyy/status/589857621865279489
Frustrated bystanders continued to point out double standards between the treatment of white suspects and their black counterparts, as well as the difference between the empowered police force and the protestors:
Dozens of arrests last night in Baltimore. None of the individuals were responsible for the death of #FreddieGray
— zellie (@zellieimani) April 26, 2015
Eric Frein shot 2 State Troopers killing 1. He was captured alive. No broken spine or crushed voice box.#FreddieGray pic.twitter.com/ccuxDgZx6J
— 3ChicsPolitico (@3ChicsPolitico) April 26, 2015
They killed a man, but everyone be concerned about their damaged police cars. https://t.co/stOZyI8E6S #FreddieGray #Baltimore
— Imani Gandy (Orca’s Version) ⚓️ (@AngryBlackLady) April 26, 2015
Cops who severed #FreddieGray‘s spine call ppl peacefully protesting their action a LYNCH MOB: http://t.co/sz6iK7GEEC pic.twitter.com/uLbt1O6iFF
— Keegan Stephan (@KeeganNYC) April 23, 2015
https://twitter.com/GlobalRevLive/status/591445261559459841
#Baltimore 1968. Baltimore 2015. How many more generations? #FreddieGray pic.twitter.com/YNY7Utg4AE
— Linda Sarsour (@lsarsour) April 26, 2015
https://twitter.com/MVNKNEE/status/592351771118407680
Protestors outside of Baltimore also joined in support.
https://twitter.com/queenjsampson/status/592344693771522049
Just lost at least 5 friends to the riot in Baltimore. Not bc they were there, but bc of their dumbass opinions about it on FB. #FreddieGray
— FILTHEE (@FiltheeAndie) April 26, 2015
The Baltimore police department released additional footage of Gray’s arrest in anticipation of last night’s massive protest, but questions about the events surrounding his death remain. In the meantime, his death continues to unite the city.
https://twitter.com/DuffJuice31/status/592351617955012609
Photo via J.M. Giordano/Instagram
