Dozens Arrested, 15 Officers Injured as Protests Erupt in Baltimore
Just hours after Freddie Gray’s funeral, protesters clashed with police stationed near Mondawmin Mall in northwest Baltimore. At least seven officers have been injured, according to police, and there are reports of several arrests. One of the officers is reportedly unresponsive.
Early reports indicate many of the protestors are high school students who gathered at the mall as part of a demonstration organized on social media. Reporters for CBS Baltimore and the Baltimore Sun report that rocks and bricks were thrown at police, who responded with pepper spray. You can watch a livestream of the demonstrations here.
Many businesses and schools throughout the city have closed early, and there are reports of looting at a CVS. As the protests move south, police have set up barricades in front of City Hall and police headquarters.
UPDATE 8:23 pm: The Washington Post reports that a police official says 15 officers were injured and two were hospitalized during the day’s protests. At least 27 people have reportedly been arrested so far.
UPDATE 8:00 pm: Baltimore mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake says she requested Hogan deploy the National Guard “as soon as they are available.”
A curfew will also be imposed between 10 pm and 6 pm, which Rawlings-Blake says will last for a week at least.
UPDATE 7:22 pm: Maryland governor Larry Hogan has declared a state of emergency in Baltimore, enabling him to activate the National Guard.
UPDATE 6:40 pm: The CVS is now on fire.
[There was a video here]
Fortunately fire trucks are now on scene at the CVS #Baltimore
April 27, 2015
NOW. I'm @ Penn. Ave & W. North Ave. CVS is on fire. People throw bottles. Tense situation @nbcwashington VIDEO pic.twitter.com/wwhNcddArH
April 27, 2015
UPDATE 6:26 pm: Tonight’s Oriole’s game against the White Sox has been postponed. Meanwhile, Maryland governor Larry Hogan issued a statement this evening announcing that the National Guard is “on alert.”
UPDATE 5:40 pm: The gates at Camden Yards have been ordered locked for now, though no decision has been made about tonight’s Orioles game.
BREAKING: Attorney: Freddie Gray's family 'in shock' watching Baltimore violence, urges calm.
April 27, 2015
CVS had been looted pic.twitter.com/SNeI7G7rlm
April 27, 2015
April 27, 2015
#Baltimore looters now vandalizing a check cashing business, breaking windows, carrying things out. CNN live now.
April 27, 2015
April 27, 2015
Looters just attacked a photographer on North. He ran to nearby MTA Bus. Media retreating now. No police here. @wbaltv11
April 27, 2015
Car on fire at north/penn pic.twitter.com/v0CrXCmn06
April 27, 2015
Police van from transit authority on fire at Pennsylvania and North avenues pic.twitter.com/lUKTHJaWiF
April 27, 2015
Chaos pic.twitter.com/luntHuGa5m
April 27, 2015
On the move. Still angry. Still throwing. pic.twitter.com/tUVDbhjNv9
April 27, 2015
A police car has been set on fire at North Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue.
April 27, 2015
Back up arrives. Moves down to Gwynns Fallsd pic.twitter.com/U8axOLzS8w
April 27, 2015
All out war between kids and police pic.twitter.com/19y4YJ2Y5X
April 27, 2015
A photographer was just assaulted. Horrible to watch.
April 27, 2015
Officer is down. Badly injured. pic.twitter.com/5lCOTJMS2a
April 27, 2015
Officers still being pummeled with bricks, bottles.
April 27, 2015
April 27, 2015
BCCC student Zachary Raeburn was trying to catch train when cops shot him w something pic.twitter.com/ye15fZWH6m
April 27, 2015