What You Should Know About Freddie Gray and the Riots

    

On Monday, following the funeral of 25 year old Freddie Gray, rioting and protesting broke out within the iconic port city of Baltimore.  The activities were in retaliation of the suspicious and unnecessary circumstances that lead to the young man’s death while in police custody. 

    The following will explore what is currently known regarding Mr. Gray and the civil unrest that has resulted from his untimely demise. 

Who was Freddie Gray?

      Freddie Gray was an African American man that was a resident of the Gilmore Homes in the city of Baltimore.  The 25 year old man was widely known to be upbeat and happy go lucky.  According to his on again, off again girlfriend, Angela Gardner, “Every time you saw him, you just smiled, because you knew you were going to have a good day.”

        Gray had been arrested several times previously, but the majority of the charges were drug related and for offenses legally deemed minor.  According to police reports, Gray had a switch blade on his person at the time that he came into contact with officers. 

What is Known About his Arrest on April 12^th?

     As far as the details that lead to his arrest are as clear as mud.  What is known and confirmed is that Mr. Gray was arrested and placed into a police van after (according to eye witnesses) “making eye contact with officers and running away.”  There is no account that has surfaced that indicate that Gray was doing anything to warrant an arrest.  He was not brandishing the switchblade that was later said to be on his person in any way nor was he posing any sort of threat to anyone.  Per the police report, an officer simply made eye contact with him and another man that he was with.  It was then that the duo took off on foot running away from the officers. 

     There are many that not only question why Gray ran, but why officers gave chase.  According to a Supreme Court ruling, fleeing from police is not, in itself, probable cause for an arrest to be made. 

     Once placed into the van, he was not restrained by a seat belt and at a later point in time, his legs were additionally cuffed.  Once Gray became injured, he cried out for help repeatedly.  Even with the repeated attempts to cry out, officers did not alert paramedics that help was needed for a full 30 minutes.  According to department policy, suspects are to be buckled into seat belts when transported in police vans.  It is also policy that officers are required to call for paramedics at the moment that assistance is requested by a suspect in custody.  Unfortunately, neither of these policies were upheld in the case of Mr. Gray.  

Cause of Death?

       On April 19^th, the life of 25 year old Freddie Gray ended because of a spinal injury.  Due to witness reports that Gray was able to run from officers on the 17^th, it is widely believed that the fatal injury was the direct result of police brutality.  There are reports that indicate that a more in depth investigation will be conducted into his death; but there was a great deal of evidence that was overlooked.  The crime scene was not as thoroughly vetted as it should have been according to official protocol. 

Monday’s Violence

       The protests and rioting began shortly after the conclusion of Mr. Gray’s funeral.  Police released reports that they had uncovered a plan for rivaling gangs to ban together in order to “take out police”.  Since that information was released, it has also been dispelled by a variety of representatives from a select number of Baltimore area gangs. What did occur was the looting of several businesses as a number of buildings were set on fire.  Since the violence began, there have been a minimum of 27 arrests and per Commissioner Anthony Batts, 15 officers were hurt. 

     

There was a great deal of coverage that showed rocks being thrown at police cruisers as well as vehicles being torched.  Looting was captured on camera, but miraculously the nonviolent demonstrations were not captured by the mass media.  As men marched peacefully, only a moment’s worth of coverage was dedicated to the protest before the focus returned to the looting and rioting.

     The rioting began late into the afternoon in the northwest Baltimore neighborhood of Mondawmin, where Mr. Gray’s funeral was held.  Enraged residents began to hurl chunks of concrete, rocks and bottles at officers that were in riot gear and lined up with their shields deployed.  Unrest was also experienced with the city’s Lexington Market.  By the time that nighttime arrive, there seemed to be a greater push for calm.  Yet there were still sightings of cars that had been set ablaze and a building use for housing for the elderly was damaged by fire. 

The Family’s Thoughts/Feelings

       The Gray family has stood firm in its resolve to remain non-violent. They contend that the current violent activities are not the proper way to honor the memory of Freddie.  Per Gray’s twin sister, Fredericka, “I think the violence is wrong….I don’t like it at all.”  Through their attorney, Billy Murphy, the family had planned on organizing a peaceful march later in the week.  With the current onslaught of nightly curfews and the addition to the National Guard within the city; that no longer seems as plausible as it did before.

    The family wants justice and for all of the truth to be revealed, but (according to sources near the family) the violence may prove to be more of a hindrance as opposed to a help. 

The State of Emergency

    The violence has cause a state of emergency to be declared within the city limits of Baltimore.  The governor of Maryland activated the National Guard on Monday night.  A curfew was also announced due to the violence that became the response to the nation’s latest police brutality martyr.  The Maryland State Police took command of the response and also stated that they would be asking for upwards of 5,000 law enforcement officials from the mid-Atlantic region in order to contain the unrest. Beginning last Monday night, National Guard units began arriving within the city, while others began arriving Tuesday morning in Humvees. 

     On her first day within her new position, Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch was tasked with briefing President Obama regarding the situation that was brimming over in Baltimore.  In turn, the President contacted Governor Hogan, urging that officers utilize restraint.  Hogan assured that they would, yet admitted to the stating the following, “I assured him we weren't going to stand by and allow out city of Baltimore to be taken over by thugs.”