Posted on 04/26/2015 5:54:22 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
Baltimore mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake made a stunning admission Saturday in the aftermath of violent protests over the recent death of Freddie Gray, saying she wanted to give space to those “who wished to destroy.”
And destroy, some did.
Numerous storefronts and vehicles were damaged and businesses were looted at the tail end of a day of demonstrations. Thirty-four people were arrested and six police officers suffered minor injuries. Baseball fans attending a game at Camden Yards were told to stay inside the ballpark until violence outside of the stadium subsided.
“I’ve made it very clear that I work with the police and instructed them to do everything that they could to make sure that the protesters were able to exercise their right to free speech,” Rawlings-Blake said during a press conference Saturday night.
“It’s a very delicate balancing act, because while we tried to make sure that they were protected from the cars and the other things that were going on, we also gave those who wished to destroy space to do that as well.”
WATCH:
“And we worked very hard to keep that balance and to put ourselves in the best position to deescalate, and that’s what you saw.”
Protesters are upset because of the circumstance surrounding Gray’s death last Sunday. He was arrested on April 12, following a foot chase with police. At some point, he suffered a severe spin injury and died. Baltimore’s police commissioner admitted Friday police failed to provide Gray with medical care in a timely manner.
An email request for comment sent to two spokesmen for the Baltimore mayor’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
I didn’t know that. Thanks.
This.
This sets up the city for a whopper of a lawsuit. And maybe even the mayor herself for ordering the police to not enforce the law.
This thread was created for those who can see the big picture.
You accidently wandered in, watch where you're going next time.
This is just a precursor to continued violence.
It’s a shame it wasn’t her property destroyed...if she ever had any to destroy
Racism isn’t about the color of your skin, it’s about your attitude...
Stay inside the ballpark for your own safety. Just amazing.
That guy smashing the window really SHOULD be wearing proper eye protection! /s;)
stuffblackpeopledontlike.com
Touche!
Free speech = Rioting, Looting, and Assault? I guess in disarmed Maryland, that might be true. Pathetic to see people defenseless in the face of these attacks. Since the police were protecting free speech, citizens under assault should have been allowed arms to protect themselves.
Baltimore surely could learn from Freepers about appropriate behavior for demonstrations and rallies. Where were the location and time boundaries in Baltimore? Were there any?
The white guy center face down on the street just got kicked in the head repeatedly...He's about 72 years old.
I'm sure the white victims understand Ms. Mayors decision to instruct her police department to stand down for the looters/rioters.
Look at how unconcerned all the ferals are
She is a Baltimoron.
I assume that the whites in the background came out alive and mostly unbeaten, as I saw no media reports indicating otherwise. < /sarc >
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