Maryland Governor Declares State of Emergency in Baltimore
Maryland governor Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency in Baltimore Monday evening, activating the National Guard to respond to the violent protests that erupted in the wake of Freddie Gray’s funeral.
Hogan reportedly plans to give a press conference at 8:30 p.m.
UPDATE 11:10 pm: Freddie Gray’s family spoke out against the violent protests and criminal activity at a press conference Monday night. His mother tells protestors, “I want you all to get justice for my son. Don’t do it like this.”
"I don't think that's for Freddie," Freddie Gray's twin sister Fredericka Gray says of the rioting. "I think the violence is wrong."
April 28, 2015
UPDATE 9:35 pm: A senior center built by a church is the reported site of a three-alarm fire currently raging in east Baltimore. The giant blaze can reportedly be seen all over Baltimore.
UPDATE 9:05 pm: Governor Hogan says he’s deployed the National Guard in response to the protests. Via WBAL-TV:
He has access to our full compliment that’s here within the state, which means up to about 5,000 troops that can be put onto the streets to protect property and people. I would highly recommend that we all go in and take cover for the night and actually go to sleep and get some rest and let things settle down so that we can restore order to the city,” Maryland National Guard Gen. Linda Singh said.
The New York Times reports more than 1,000 Baltimore cops and 82 state troopers are already on the ground.
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.
[image via AP]
