(AllHipHop News) Portions of the city of Baltimore erupted in violence yesterday (April 27) as mostly high school students clashed with police in the streets. Vehicles were damaged, stores were looted, a CVS was set on fire, and several law enforcement officers were reportedly injured.
The violent outcry came after days of peaceful protests in the name of Freddie Gray. The 25-year-old man died of a spinal cord injury while in police custody. He sustained the injury after being taken into a police van. Apparently, his detention was because he looked at an officer and then ran away.
The violence also appears to be a reaction to years worth of mistreatment against the African-American community at the hands of the Baltimore Police Department. Residents have received millions of dollars from lawsuits against the BPD for excessive force including a jury awarding $39 million to Jeffrey Alston in 2004. Alston was paralyzed from the neck down after a ride in a police van.
Members of the Hip Hop community are now sharing their thoughts on the ordeal unfolding in Baltimore. Former actors from the The Wire (which was set in Baltimore) also addressed the situation. See what some stars had to say on Twitter and Instagram below.
Baltimore I respect it, 100%. Just do it peacefully, we don't need an excuse for them to kill another one of us. #FreddyGray
— Freddie Gibbs (@FreddieGibbs) April 27, 2015
HBO pimped that 1-sided view of BMORE in THE WIRE. Show & spread it across the USA , and 15 years later ((((BOOM))))
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) April 27, 2015
Damn. Baltimore is getting outta control. I understand protests. I don't understand looting CVS. That's not honoring Freddie Grey.
— Bun B (@BunBTrillOG) April 27, 2015
Baltimore doing what they suppose 2 be doing
— YG (@YG) April 27, 2015
People of Baltimore, if you have any video of peaceful protests on your phone…tweet me the footage and I will post it on my Instagram…
— 9th Wonder (@9thWonderMusic) April 28, 2015
And tearing down Ya own neighborhood is not the solution. it only makes the system look down on us even more as blacks! Let's pray 4 #bmore
— Meek Mill (@MeekMill) April 28, 2015
The problem with our world is that most people that have followers don't know what the F### they are talking about. God bless us ???????????
— Statik Selektah (@StatikSelekt) April 28, 2015
How hard is it understand that b####### begets more b#######?
— Charlamagne Tha God (@cthagod) April 28, 2015
Police killing more unarmed Americans on tape than ISIS. Fact. But cuz it's young ppl of color police aren't considered terrorists.
— Talib Kweli Greene (@TalibKweli) April 28, 2015
Don't get it twisted. The people are under attack. Not the police.
— VIC MENSA (@VicMensa) April 28, 2015
— TRINA (@TRINArockstarr) April 28, 2015
We're really being killed out here as if it's part of some sort of sacrificial ritual.
— AZEALIA BANKS (@AZEALIABANKS) April 28, 2015
— JADAKISS (@Therealkiss) April 28, 2015
Never loose the faith tho?? sending every1 positive vibes during these times??
— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) April 28, 2015
i assure you, they will review the footage and bring those responsible to justice. sadly I'm NOT talking about Freddie Gray's murder.
— Questlove Gomez (@questlove) April 28, 2015
Baltimore. These are not protestors. These are criminals disrespectful of the wishes of the family and people of good will.
— Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) April 27, 2015
To my Beloved city Baltimore..I feel your pain. Stand up..rise UP without breaking down! Discipline not Destruction. #VictorynotVictims
— Andre Royo (@AndreRoyo) April 27, 2015
Words to the great people of baltimore city! We all feel the same way, we seriously do but please be safe. Don't let the violence rule over
— Tray Chaney (@traychaney) April 28, 2015
It seems like property and damage is more important than black bodies.
— Julito McCullum (@IamJulito) April 28, 2015
Addicting Info – Here Is The REAL Protest In Baltimore The Mainstream Media Won’t Show You (IMAGES/VIDEO) http://t.co/ZsJ5QRKKRL
— Lance Reddick (@lancereddick) April 26, 2015
SMDH. The fire this time is a result of city leadership that has cultivated business interests above those of the people. #PrayForBaltimore
— Sonja Sohn (@SonjaSohn) April 28, 2015
Hate to see the city I love under chaos. @CouncilmanBMS seems to be a very eloquent and thoughtful leader. #Baltimore
— Rick Otto (@RickOtto) April 28, 2015
They have decided that everyone gets beaten. Just like no child left behind, no BLACK life will go untouched. Humble. #SomeoneFromBaltimore.
— Panama (@itspanamababy) April 28, 2015
Stuff like this wouldn't happen if everyone was just treated fairly and equally…
— Maestro (@maestroharrell) April 28, 2015