National Guard troops are guarding the eastern U.S. city of Baltimore, Maryland. The troop deployment is part of an effort to re-establish order a day after rioting caused widespread destruction there. The violence started after the funeral of Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old black man. He died from injuries suffered while police detained him.
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency in Baltimore. The city’s public schools were closed Tuesday. Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake has declared a week-long night-time curfew. She called the riots, “one of the darkest days the city has ever faced.”
Firefighters continued to battle several fires across Baltimore before sunrise Tuesday.
The violence began as hundreds of high school students protested Freddie Gray’s death after classes had been dismissed for the day. The protesters then spread across several neighborhoods. The city’s police department did not have enough officers available as the demonstrations turned violent.
Firefighters battling a blaze on East Biddle street at Montford Avenue, Baltimore, April 28, 2015.
Baltimore city firefighters spray water on a residence which was set ablaze in west Baltimore after the funeral of Freddie Gray in Maryland, April 28, 2015.
Baltimore firefighters attack a fire in a convenience store and residence during clashes after the funeral of Freddie Gray in Baltimore, Maryland in the early morning hours of April 28, 2015.
A police vehicle burns during unrest following the funeral of Freddie Gray in Baltimore, April 27, 2015.
People stand outside the burned community center and apartments across the street from the Southern Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland April 28, 2015.
Baltimore mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake tours Pennsylvania avenue as Maryland State Police stand guard in Baltimore, Maryland April 28, 2015.
Jerald Miller helps clean up debris from a CVS pharmacy that was set on fire yesterday during rioting after the funeral of Freddie Gray, on April 28, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland.
An armored vehicle is parked at Mondawmin Mall in Baltimore April 28, 2015.
A looted wig shop is seen damaged in Baltimore, Maryland April 28, 2015.
A demonstrator walks past police with a brick as they respond to thrown objects, after the funeral of Freddie Gray in Baltimore, April 27, 2015.
Demonstrators jump on a damaged Baltimore police department vehicle during clashes in Baltimore, Maryland, April 27, 2015.
Firefighters battle a blaze, after rioters plunged part of Baltimore into chaos, torching a pharmacy, setting police cars ablaze and throwing bricks at officers, April 27, 2015.
Protesters clash with police near Mondawmin Mall after Freddie Gray's funeral in Baltimore, Maryland, April 27, 2015.
A woman with goods looted from a store runs past burning vehicles during clashes in Baltimore, Maryland, April 27, 2015.
A woman cries as demonstrators throw rocks at Baltimore police during clashes in Baltimore, Maryland, April 27, 2015.
Smoke billows from a CVS Pharmacy store in Baltimore, Maryland, April 27, 2015.
Baltimore police officers arrive at a "Deals" store that was just vandalized and looted by rioters as darkness falls during clashes between rioters and police in Baltimore, Maryland, April 27, 2015.
Demonstrators throw rocks at Baltimore police during clashes in Baltimore, Maryland, April 27, 2015.
Policemen detain a protester near Mondawmin Mall after Freddie Gray's funeral in Baltimore, Maryland, April 27, 2015.
Demonstrators throw rocks at the police after the funeral of Freddie Gray, April 27, 2015, at New Shiloh Baptist Church in Baltimore.
A man walks past a burning police vehicle, April 27, 2015, during unrest following the funeral of Freddie Gray in Baltimore.
A Baltimore resident (R) trying to restore order in his neighborhood speaks to a protester during clashes in Baltimore, Maryland, April 27, 2015.
Protesters attacked and burned businesses and vehicles. Some threw stones, bottles and other objects at police. Police Commissioner Anthony Batts said 15 officers were injured in the clashes. More than 200 people were arrested.
“I understand anger,” said Mayor Rawlings-Blake. “What we see isn’t anger – it’s the destruction of a community.” She called the protesters, “thugs.”
Rioters set fire to buildings, including one set to become a center for older adults. A Christian group was planning to operate the center. Donte Hickman heads Baltimore’s Southern Baptist Church.
“My heart is obviously broken because somebody did not understand that we were for the community. Somebody did not understand that we were working on behalf of the community to invest, when nobody else would.”
Monday night, the family of Freddie Gray called for the rioting to stop. His mother, Gloria Darden, spoke to reporters.
“I want you all to get justice for my son, but don’t do it like this here. Don’t tear up the whole city, man. Just for him? It’s wrong.”
Freddie Gray suffered severe spinal cord injuries after he was arrested on April 12. Officials say he was not restrained correctly while being transported in a police vehicle. Police Commissioner Batts said officers were slow to recognize that he needed medical attention. He reportedly had a breathing disorder, asthma.
Six officers who had contact with Freddie Gray have been placed on administrative leave.
His death has become the latest incident to fuel protests about contacts between police and minorities in the United States.
Hours before the violence began. Loretta Lynch was sworn-in as U.S. Attorney General. She met with President Barack Obama at the White House to discuss the federal government’s answer to the unrest. She later released a statement condemning what she called “the senseless acts of violence by some individuals in Baltimore.”
The U.S. Justice Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation have ordered a civil rights investigation into Freddie Gray’s death. The Baltimore Police Department says it expects more information about the case on May 1.
I’m Marsha James.
This report was based on stories from VOANews.com. George Grow wrote it for Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor.
Words in this Story
reestablish – v. to return to an earlier condition or place
rioting – n. a violent action by a large group of people; v. to act with many others in a violent way in a public place
curfew – n. an order to people to stay off the streets or to close their businesses
attention – n. close or careful observing of, or listening to, someone or something
contact – v. to meet or communicate with; n. the acting of touching or being close to a person or thing
