An Update on the Baltimore Riots
Monday, May 4th, President Obama spoke in New York at Lehman College and criticized the recent media coverage of the Baltimore Riots, saying that it focuses too much on the acts of violence and not on the broader issue. These riots began following the death of Freddie Gray, on April 19, a week after he sustained injuries while in police custody. The media has largely said that his death was caused by reckless driving without a seatbelt. Although a seatbelt is required when transporting detainees, one of the six officers involved in the incident explained that it was too dangerous to enter the back of the van to belt Gray. Another detainee who was on the other side of the barrier from Gray in the van reported he heard Gray “thrashing about”. The medical examiner ruled Gray’s death a homicide and said that Gray died due to a broken neck from slamming into the back of the police van. Other witnesses who spoke to reporters and claimed to have watched the arrest have varying stories.
The events of exactly what occurred during that 40 minute span are still unknown. The police commissioner did however state that in any event officers did not get Gray medical attention in a timely fashion. During a news conference, one of the officers attorney’s said that the officers did nothing wrong, “No officer injured Mr. Gray, caused harm to Mr. Gray, and [they] are truly saddened by his death.” Out of the six officers involved three of them are white, and the other three black. Riots calling for equality have sprung up not only in Baltimore, but all over the nation, including New York City, Philadelphia and Cincinnati. Some of them are peaceful while others have caused serious destruction. In Baltimore there have been at least 144 vehicles set on fire since the start of the riots. So far, since the recent end of the weeklong 10pm to 5am curfew there has been relative peace in Baltimore.
Used sources: http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/30/us/baltimore-freddie-gray-death-investigation/
http://abcnews.go.com/US/freddie-grays-death-ruled-homicide-states-attorney/story?id=30728026
photo:
http://www.jta.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/baltimore-protest-e1430681867130.jpg