Officials provide info online as Baltimore riots rage
Gov. Larry Hogan explained his decision to declare a state of emergency, and Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake tweeted messages of hope.
Following reports of multiple fires and people throwing bricks at police officers, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency in Baltimore and deployed the National Guard on Monday.
He said in a statement:
I strongly condemn the actions of the offenders who are engaged in direct attacks against innocent civilians, businesses and law enforcement officers. There is a significant difference between protesting and violence, and those committing these acts will be prosecuted under the fullest extent of the law. … These malicious attacks against law enforcement and local communities only betray the cause of peaceful citizens seeking answers and justice following the death of Freddie Gray.
Gray, a 25-year-old black man, died while in police custody April 19 of a spinal injury. According to reports, he did not get adequate medical attention. Gray’s funeral was Monday. In the aftermath, protests turned violent, leading to 34 arrests and injuries to 15 police officers.
Hogan’s decision to deploy the National Guard was met with anger from many:
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