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| Baltimore riots: looting, fires and unrest as Freddie Gray police clashes unfurl – as it happened | Baltimore riots: looting, fires and unrest as Freddie Gray police clashes unfurl – as it happened |
| (3 days later) | |
| 8.06am BST | 8.06am BST |
| 08:06 | 08:06 |
| We’re going to be wrapping up our rolling coverage of the unrest in Baltimore for the moment. Here’s a summary of events as they stand so far: | We’re going to be wrapping up our rolling coverage of the unrest in Baltimore for the moment. Here’s a summary of events as they stand so far: |
| 7.39am BST | 7.39am BST |
| 07:39 | 07:39 |
| woman reported to be shot in leg, say Baltimore Police | woman reported to be shot in leg, say Baltimore Police |
| The Baltimore Police has just tweeted an update about a report of a shooting at Fulton Avenue. At this stage we have limited information beyond this update from the police. | The Baltimore Police has just tweeted an update about a report of a shooting at Fulton Avenue. At this stage we have limited information beyond this update from the police. |
| Shooting: 1700 block Fulton Avenue. Woman reported to be shot in the leg. Western district detectives investigating. | Shooting: 1700 block Fulton Avenue. Woman reported to be shot in the leg. Western district detectives investigating. |
| 7.35am BST | 7.35am BST |
| 07:35 | 07:35 |
| Here’s the second part of the press conference from police commissioner Anthony Batts: | Here’s the second part of the press conference from police commissioner Anthony Batts: |
| After that we began to have trouble at Lexington Market. We responded with approximately about 50 officers…where we secured that and didn’t sustain much damage. We then got calls laters off of the 1700 block of Monument that we had looting there. We responded multiple units over there to sustain that area. We’re seeing a number of small care fires. We’re seeing a number of street fires basically in Pennsylvania Fulton area again, which has been the cornerstone of the problem the vast majority of the day. | After that we began to have trouble at Lexington Market. We responded with approximately about 50 officers…where we secured that and didn’t sustain much damage. We then got calls laters off of the 1700 block of Monument that we had looting there. We responded multiple units over there to sustain that area. We’re seeing a number of small care fires. We’re seeing a number of street fires basically in Pennsylvania Fulton area again, which has been the cornerstone of the problem the vast majority of the day. |
| Those are the key points I think, we’re still getting control of the Pennsy area, Mondawmin Mall has been secured. We did have break ins there we responded officers up there. We have a number of arrests that came out of there. So we have most of the officers that were in the hospital that are doing better. I think for the vast majority the city is calming itself down slowly but surely, other than the car fires and the street fires. | Those are the key points I think, we’re still getting control of the Pennsy area, Mondawmin Mall has been secured. We did have break ins there we responded officers up there. We have a number of arrests that came out of there. So we have most of the officers that were in the hospital that are doing better. I think for the vast majority the city is calming itself down slowly but surely, other than the car fires and the street fires. |
| When I came down I think there was reported a fire in the 1700 block of monument. Suffice it to say I am extremely disappointed in what ha happened in this beautiful city tonight. I am disappointed in the fact that the damage has been done to these communities. I’m disappointed that we could not be more responsible and an embarrassment that we have nationwide in our community. This is not protesting. This is not your first amendments rights. This is just criminal acts doing damage to a community that is challenged in some ways that do not need this and do not need to harmed in the way that we have today. | When I came down I think there was reported a fire in the 1700 block of monument. Suffice it to say I am extremely disappointed in what ha happened in this beautiful city tonight. I am disappointed in the fact that the damage has been done to these communities. I’m disappointed that we could not be more responsible and an embarrassment that we have nationwide in our community. This is not protesting. This is not your first amendments rights. This is just criminal acts doing damage to a community that is challenged in some ways that do not need this and do not need to harmed in the way that we have today. |
| I am proud of the officers who were out there sustaining rocks and bottles, who were hit in the head, who were sent to the hospital and their courage at standing tall in light of all the things. I applaud the outside agencies that came to support us. Montgomery county, Prince Georges county, Howard county and state police. So I sincerely appreciate that support. | I am proud of the officers who were out there sustaining rocks and bottles, who were hit in the head, who were sent to the hospital and their courage at standing tall in light of all the things. I applaud the outside agencies that came to support us. Montgomery county, Prince Georges county, Howard county and state police. So I sincerely appreciate that support. |
| 7.13am BST | 7.13am BST |
| 07:13 | 07:13 |
| My colleague Ben Jacobs has just been on another loop of the city. He is reporting there are still building on fire. | My colleague Ben Jacobs has just been on another loop of the city. He is reporting there are still building on fire. |
| Just did a loop around the city. An intact building two hours ago was burned out now | Just did a loop around the city. An intact building two hours ago was burned out now |
| Another pharmacy on fire. The Rite Aid at Saratoga and MLK pic.twitter.com/WYD7ZrtJok | Another pharmacy on fire. The Rite Aid at Saratoga and MLK pic.twitter.com/WYD7ZrtJok |
| Cop at the scene said this was the third fire he's been to in 45 minutes | Cop at the scene said this was the third fire he's been to in 45 minutes |
| 7.11am BST | 7.11am BST |
| 07:11 | 07:11 |
| Here’s the full video of the press conference that Baltimore police commissioner Anthony Batts gave earlier this evening. | Here’s the full video of the press conference that Baltimore police commissioner Anthony Batts gave earlier this evening. |
| The conference is a quite detailed breakdown of the police operations that occurred throughout the evening. We’ve started to transcribe the full conference, here is the first part that outlines the initial unrest that occurred at Mondawmin Mall: | The conference is a quite detailed breakdown of the police operations that occurred throughout the evening. We’ve started to transcribe the full conference, here is the first part that outlines the initial unrest that occurred at Mondawmin Mall: |
| The officers got caught on an incline to which a number of my officers got injured. I had one officer knocked out, hit on the head, he was taken to the hospital. I just checked on him, he’s doing better. I had an officer who had on his left kneecap severely damaged. They’re again at shock trauma. I had two more officers downed injured fairly seriously. All are going to be ok but sustained heavy damage in their bodies by flying debris, rocks, sticks, bottles, anything that these, what appeared to be high school students in our school system did out there within the streets. | The officers got caught on an incline to which a number of my officers got injured. I had one officer knocked out, hit on the head, he was taken to the hospital. I just checked on him, he’s doing better. I had an officer who had on his left kneecap severely damaged. They’re again at shock trauma. I had two more officers downed injured fairly seriously. All are going to be ok but sustained heavy damage in their bodies by flying debris, rocks, sticks, bottles, anything that these, what appeared to be high school students in our school system did out there within the streets. |
| As our officers preceded to push them out of that area they moved out of the area …where them and others attacked a police car, broke out the window, stomped on it, I think you have information on that. Very concerned that I had an officer trapped in that vehicle. The officer had removed themselves and had sheltered in place in a nearby store. We were able to get resources down there to push that crowd away from that area. They ended up south …in North Street and you can see that they started to ransack CVS in criminal acts of vandalism and taking of property. | As our officers preceded to push them out of that area they moved out of the area …where them and others attacked a police car, broke out the window, stomped on it, I think you have information on that. Very concerned that I had an officer trapped in that vehicle. The officer had removed themselves and had sheltered in place in a nearby store. We were able to get resources down there to push that crowd away from that area. They ended up south …in North Street and you can see that they started to ransack CVS in criminal acts of vandalism and taking of property. |
| We were able to assemble resources from out of town to get up there in a rapid manner. We took that corner back as we sustained Mondawmin Mall and made sure that it was stable. We were able to move those resource down to Pennsy from a northern direction moving southward. We then brought other resources that moved from the south northward to Pennsy and we took that intersection back. | We were able to assemble resources from out of town to get up there in a rapid manner. We took that corner back as we sustained Mondawmin Mall and made sure that it was stable. We were able to move those resource down to Pennsy from a northern direction moving southward. We then brought other resources that moved from the south northward to Pennsy and we took that intersection back. |
| We started to push in a westbound direction as we saw more looting taking place just west of that area. As we moved a large contingent by that time we had pretty close to about 500 to 600 police officers moving in that direction. | We started to push in a westbound direction as we saw more looting taking place just west of that area. As we moved a large contingent by that time we had pretty close to about 500 to 600 police officers moving in that direction. |
| I was very much pleased and surprised that we had ministers that came out with congressman Elijah Cummings, tried to calm the area and calm the young people in that area that was just totally destroying the places where they have to live. And tomorrow they have to go to those same stores that they tore apart. And those stores that were burnt down or damaged are the same infrastructure that the people have to survive with in that neighbourhood in the next month, next two months, next three months. | I was very much pleased and surprised that we had ministers that came out with congressman Elijah Cummings, tried to calm the area and calm the young people in that area that was just totally destroying the places where they have to live. And tomorrow they have to go to those same stores that they tore apart. And those stores that were burnt down or damaged are the same infrastructure that the people have to survive with in that neighbourhood in the next month, next two months, next three months. |
| 6.43am BST | 6.43am BST |
| 06:43 | 06:43 |
| Data will be crucial to explain what has happened in Baltimore over the weekend. One useful source that may prove useful is the Baltimore Police’s open data centre. | Data will be crucial to explain what has happened in Baltimore over the weekend. One useful source that may prove useful is the Baltimore Police’s open data centre. |
| This resource is updated every Thursday, and has separate datasets for incidents, uses of force, juvenile curfew violations and arrests. Once the datasets are posted on Thursday it will be possible to gain an extremely comprehensive picture of reported incidents. | This resource is updated every Thursday, and has separate datasets for incidents, uses of force, juvenile curfew violations and arrests. Once the datasets are posted on Thursday it will be possible to gain an extremely comprehensive picture of reported incidents. |
| The data about curfews may prove to be particularly useful - but unfortunately at the moment this dataset does not appear to be available. | The data about curfews may prove to be particularly useful - but unfortunately at the moment this dataset does not appear to be available. |
| 6.37am BST | 6.37am BST |
| 06:37 | 06:37 |
| The Washington Post has posted this useful map that outlines where unrest has occurred across Baltimore. | The Washington Post has posted this useful map that outlines where unrest has occurred across Baltimore. |
| The @WashingtonPost has just published a helpful map of the #BaltimoreRiots http://t.co/YW1bqt9MrU @postgraphics pic.twitter.com/IPxtQlDtCY | The @WashingtonPost has just published a helpful map of the #BaltimoreRiots http://t.co/YW1bqt9MrU @postgraphics pic.twitter.com/IPxtQlDtCY |
| It gives a some clearer indication of the spread of incidents around Baltimore, which have occurred across the city. | It gives a some clearer indication of the spread of incidents around Baltimore, which have occurred across the city. |
| 6.28am BST | 6.28am BST |
| 06:28 | 06:28 |
| The scope of the unrest in Baltimore is unlikely to be fully realised until tomorrow morning. There are continuing reports of scattered pockets of unrest throughout the city. | The scope of the unrest in Baltimore is unlikely to be fully realised until tomorrow morning. There are continuing reports of scattered pockets of unrest throughout the city. |
| These images highlight how events escalated throughout the evening: | These images highlight how events escalated throughout the evening: |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.49am BST | at 6.49am BST |
| 6.22am BST | 6.22am BST |
| 06:22 | 06:22 |
| Earlier my colleague Ben Jacobs posted about some concerning comments he received from a Baltimore fire fighter about the limited resources they had to combat the scattered fires throughout the city. | Earlier my colleague Ben Jacobs posted about some concerning comments he received from a Baltimore fire fighter about the limited resources they had to combat the scattered fires throughout the city. |
| The ability of the fire brigade to respond effectively has also been a concern for the Baltimore Police. They’ve just posted several updates about needing to deploy their officers with fire fighters to prevent disruption of their operations. | The ability of the fire brigade to respond effectively has also been a concern for the Baltimore Police. They’ve just posted several updates about needing to deploy their officers with fire fighters to prevent disruption of their operations. |
| We are receiving reports of criminals throwing cinder blocks at passing fire engines as they are responding to fires on Fulton Ave. | We are receiving reports of criminals throwing cinder blocks at passing fire engines as they are responding to fires on Fulton Ave. |
| Please allow members of the fire department to respond to their calls for service. We are still hearing reports of them being assaulted. | Please allow members of the fire department to respond to their calls for service. We are still hearing reports of them being assaulted. |
| We are deploying officers with the fire department to ensure fire fighting operations are not disrupted by people w/ no regard for life. | We are deploying officers with the fire department to ensure fire fighting operations are not disrupted by people w/ no regard for life. |
| 6.11am BST | 6.11am BST |
| 06:11 | 06:11 |
| The Maryland National Guard has just posted this update on the movement of its troops into Baltimore. | The Maryland National Guard has just posted this update on the movement of its troops into Baltimore. |
| Soldiers from the Maryland @UsNationalGuard prepare for missions in #Baltimore City. +5,000 troops available pic.twitter.com/XhdcZKQMR7 | Soldiers from the Maryland @UsNationalGuard prepare for missions in #Baltimore City. +5,000 troops available pic.twitter.com/XhdcZKQMR7 |
| Governor Larry Hogan activated the national guard earlier on Monday to help contain unrest in the city. | Governor Larry Hogan activated the national guard earlier on Monday to help contain unrest in the city. |
| 6.00am BST | 6.00am BST |
| 06:00 | 06:00 |
| My colleague Ben Jacobs has just been speaking with a fire fighter on the streets of Baltimore. He’s been hearing some alarming responses about the resources that the fire department currently has. | My colleague Ben Jacobs has just been speaking with a fire fighter on the streets of Baltimore. He’s been hearing some alarming responses about the resources that the fire department currently has. |
| CVS fire being extinguished pic.twitter.com/ZbgsE5PluA | CVS fire being extinguished pic.twitter.com/ZbgsE5PluA |
| Firefighter tells me Baltimore fire department is "totally out of resources" | Firefighter tells me Baltimore fire department is "totally out of resources" |
| Worrying prediction if no indictment of things will get worse | Worrying prediction if no indictment of things will get worse |
| 5.47am BST | 5.47am BST |
| 05:47 | 05:47 |
| Some parallels are being drawn with the unrest in Baltimore this weekend and the 1968 riots. | Some parallels are being drawn with the unrest in Baltimore this weekend and the 1968 riots. |
| Here’s a short dispatch from the Baltimore Sun that looks back at events in 1968. | Here’s a short dispatch from the Baltimore Sun that looks back at events in 1968. |
| There is an eerie prescience in this article, which refers to many of the same landmarks or streets that we have unrest occur near this weekend: | There is an eerie prescience in this article, which refers to many of the same landmarks or streets that we have unrest occur near this weekend: |
| THE 1968 riots rank with the 1904 fire that wiped out much of the downtown business district and the state legislature’s 1947 vote to prevent the city from annexing additional land as major events that changed the course of history for Baltimore this century. | THE 1968 riots rank with the 1904 fire that wiped out much of the downtown business district and the state legislature’s 1947 vote to prevent the city from annexing additional land as major events that changed the course of history for Baltimore this century. |
| In the early hours, the unrest didn’t seem like a momentous event. The city was relatively quiet after the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis on the evening of #F Thursday, April 4. But by April 6, sporadic, isolated incidents had gained momentum. Teeming crowds gathered on Gay Street in East Baltimore and began breaking store windows and looting. By 6:45 that evening, then-Gov. Spiro T. Agnew had called out the National Guard. | In the early hours, the unrest didn’t seem like a momentous event. The city was relatively quiet after the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis on the evening of #F Thursday, April 4. But by April 6, sporadic, isolated incidents had gained momentum. Teeming crowds gathered on Gay Street in East Baltimore and began breaking store windows and looting. By 6:45 that evening, then-Gov. Spiro T. Agnew had called out the National Guard. |
| Hundreds of city and state police officers were deployed to limit destruction in East and West Baltimore. Many merchants decried the lack of police protection for businesses. The sky was blackened with the smoke of 800 fires in 72 hours. | Hundreds of city and state police officers were deployed to limit destruction in East and West Baltimore. Many merchants decried the lack of police protection for businesses. The sky was blackened with the smoke of 800 fires in 72 hours. |
| The toll was steep: six people were killed, 700 were injured, 1,000 small businesses were looted or burned out and 5,800 people were arrested. Nearly 3,500 cases were tried in city courts. | The toll was steep: six people were killed, 700 were injured, 1,000 small businesses were looted or burned out and 5,800 people were arrested. Nearly 3,500 cases were tried in city courts. |
| Baltimore has since moved forward, forming multiracial coalitions address the city’s ills, including the needs of the poor. Post-riot urban renewal efforts added some much-needed schools and recreational facilities. | Baltimore has since moved forward, forming multiracial coalitions address the city’s ills, including the needs of the poor. Post-riot urban renewal efforts added some much-needed schools and recreational facilities. |
| But much remains to be done. Major corridors, such as Gay Street and North Avenue, and parts of Harford Road, Pennsylvania Avenue and Park Heights Avenue, still show scars from the riots. Some three decades later, the memories of that violent time remain clear for many people. Below are some recollections. | But much remains to be done. Major corridors, such as Gay Street and North Avenue, and parts of Harford Road, Pennsylvania Avenue and Park Heights Avenue, still show scars from the riots. Some three decades later, the memories of that violent time remain clear for many people. Below are some recollections. |
| 5.31am BST | 5.31am BST |
| 05:31 | 05:31 |
| Baltimore Police have just posted this update about a report of a fire near Mount Street. | Baltimore Police have just posted this update about a report of a fire near Mount Street. |
| We are receiving reports of a fire at Mount and Baker Streets. Officers are responding to the area with our partners from BCFD. | We are receiving reports of a fire at Mount and Baker Streets. Officers are responding to the area with our partners from BCFD. |
| 5.30am BST | 5.30am BST |
| 05:30 | 05:30 |
| There have been many images this evening of police in armoured vehicles, employing tactics that could be considered to be highly militarised. | There have been many images this evening of police in armoured vehicles, employing tactics that could be considered to be highly militarised. |
| Side view of armored vehicle pic.twitter.com/SrMJW3ycES | Side view of armored vehicle pic.twitter.com/SrMJW3ycES |
| The use of armoured vehicles and military tools in civil disturbances is an issue that has become increasingly prominent in the United States, particularly over the last 12 months. | The use of armoured vehicles and military tools in civil disturbances is an issue that has become increasingly prominent in the United States, particularly over the last 12 months. |
| This earlier story on an Australian Civil Liberties Union report highlights how the issue has been canvassed previously: | This earlier story on an Australian Civil Liberties Union report highlights how the issue has been canvassed previously: |
| At 3am on 28 May, Alecia Phonesavanh was asleep in the room she was temporarily occupying together with her husband and four children in the small town of Cornelia, Georgia. Her baby, 18-month-old Bou Bou, was sleeping peacefully in his cot. | At 3am on 28 May, Alecia Phonesavanh was asleep in the room she was temporarily occupying together with her husband and four children in the small town of Cornelia, Georgia. Her baby, 18-month-old Bou Bou, was sleeping peacefully in his cot. |
| Suddenly there was a loud bang and several strangers dressed in black burst into the room. A blinding flash burst out with a deafening roar from the direction of the cot. Amid the confusion, Phonesavanh could see her husband pinned down and handcuffed under one of the men in black, and while her son was being held by another. Everyone was yelling, screaming, crying. “I kept asking the officers to let me have my baby, but they said shut up and sit down,” she said. | Suddenly there was a loud bang and several strangers dressed in black burst into the room. A blinding flash burst out with a deafening roar from the direction of the cot. Amid the confusion, Phonesavanh could see her husband pinned down and handcuffed under one of the men in black, and while her son was being held by another. Everyone was yelling, screaming, crying. “I kept asking the officers to let me have my baby, but they said shut up and sit down,” she said. |
| As the pandemonium died down, it became clear that the strangers in black were a Swat team of police officers from the local Habersham County force – they had raided the house on the incorrect assumption that occupants were involved in drugs. It also became clear to Phonesavanh that something had happened to Bou Bou and that the officers had taken him away. | As the pandemonium died down, it became clear that the strangers in black were a Swat team of police officers from the local Habersham County force – they had raided the house on the incorrect assumption that occupants were involved in drugs. It also became clear to Phonesavanh that something had happened to Bou Bou and that the officers had taken him away. |
| The Swat team that burst into the Phonesavanh’s room looking for a drug dealer had deployed a tactic commonly used by the US military in warzones, and increasingly by domestic police forces across the US. They threw an explosive device called a flashbang that is designed to distract and temporarily blind suspects to allow officers to overpower and detain them. The device had landed in Bou Bou’s cot and detonated in the baby’s face. | The Swat team that burst into the Phonesavanh’s room looking for a drug dealer had deployed a tactic commonly used by the US military in warzones, and increasingly by domestic police forces across the US. They threw an explosive device called a flashbang that is designed to distract and temporarily blind suspects to allow officers to overpower and detain them. The device had landed in Bou Bou’s cot and detonated in the baby’s face. |
| 5.21am BST | 5.21am BST |
| 05:21 | 05:21 |
| My colleague Ben Jacobs is still out in Baltimore, and has been tweeting some updates of what he’s seeing. | My colleague Ben Jacobs is still out in Baltimore, and has been tweeting some updates of what he’s seeing. |
| Smoking car at North and Fulton pic.twitter.com/xim1eDPziC | Smoking car at North and Fulton pic.twitter.com/xim1eDPziC |
| Armored car on North Avenue just west of Carey pic.twitter.com/TtuagJlqQB | Armored car on North Avenue just west of Carey pic.twitter.com/TtuagJlqQB |
| Guy looking at police armored vehicles "This is some Call of Duty shit. I play this in GTA5" | Guy looking at police armored vehicles "This is some Call of Duty shit. I play this in GTA5" |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.21am BST | at 5.21am BST |
| 5.13am BST | 5.13am BST |
| 05:13 | 05:13 |
| Police commissioner Anthony Batts, who just delivered a short update on events in Baltimore, praised his officers’ response to earlier protests on Saturday. Here’s the Baltimore Sun’s report on the earlier email he sent to officers: | Police commissioner Anthony Batts, who just delivered a short update on events in Baltimore, praised his officers’ response to earlier protests on Saturday. Here’s the Baltimore Sun’s report on the earlier email he sent to officers: |
| In an internal email to police officers, Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony W. Battspraised his department’s response to protests in the city on Saturday as “scary good.” | In an internal email to police officers, Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony W. Battspraised his department’s response to protests in the city on Saturday as “scary good.” |
| “In more than 30 years of law enforcement experience, I’ve been involved in many protests. Today, the restraint, professionalism, and attention to duty you demonstrated were nothing short of remarkable,” Batts wrote in an email obtained by The Baltimore Sun. “I am proud and truly humbled to lead this organization. You stood tall in the face of challenge after challenge and you were a credit to the city and your families today.” | “In more than 30 years of law enforcement experience, I’ve been involved in many protests. Today, the restraint, professionalism, and attention to duty you demonstrated were nothing short of remarkable,” Batts wrote in an email obtained by The Baltimore Sun. “I am proud and truly humbled to lead this organization. You stood tall in the face of challenge after challenge and you were a credit to the city and your families today.” |
| 5.06am BST | 5.06am BST |
| 05:06 | 05:06 |
| For some further background on the genesis of events that are now occurring in Baltimore, my colleague Oliver Laughland has this dispatch from Saturday on the death of Freddie Gray: | For some further background on the genesis of events that are now occurring in Baltimore, my colleague Oliver Laughland has this dispatch from Saturday on the death of Freddie Gray: |
| “If I’d been dropped two inches to the left, then Freddie Gray was me,” says Abdul Salaam. The 36-year-old mental health executive from north-east Baltimore unbuttons his collar to show deep, dark scarring on his left shoulder from the time he was beaten by three Baltimore police officers in front of his child. | “If I’d been dropped two inches to the left, then Freddie Gray was me,” says Abdul Salaam. The 36-year-old mental health executive from north-east Baltimore unbuttons his collar to show deep, dark scarring on his left shoulder from the time he was beaten by three Baltimore police officers in front of his child. |
| “It was 1 July, 2013, 6.37 pm,” he says. | “It was 1 July, 2013, 6.37 pm,” he says. |
| Salaam was approaching his driveway after grocery shopping for a family barbecue when an officer pulled him out of the car and threw him against a gate. They slammed him on the concrete five times, and then proceeded to punch and kick him. His three-year-old began screaming, officers threatened to send his son to social services, while Salaam lay on the floor, hog-tied. | Salaam was approaching his driveway after grocery shopping for a family barbecue when an officer pulled him out of the car and threw him against a gate. They slammed him on the concrete five times, and then proceeded to punch and kick him. His three-year-old began screaming, officers threatened to send his son to social services, while Salaam lay on the floor, hog-tied. |
| He pleaded with them to call his mother, who is a judge in New Jersey. To this day he says he doesn’t know why he was targeted. | He pleaded with them to call his mother, who is a judge in New Jersey. To this day he says he doesn’t know why he was targeted. |
| Salaam was charged with attempting to elude an officer, the use of a handheld phone while driving, and driving without a seatbelt. After a brief stint in hospital where he was treated for chipped bones and gashes, he spent 48 hours in jail, and was later released without charge. Salaam is now suing the police commissioner for damages. | Salaam was charged with attempting to elude an officer, the use of a handheld phone while driving, and driving without a seatbelt. After a brief stint in hospital where he was treated for chipped bones and gashes, he spent 48 hours in jail, and was later released without charge. Salaam is now suing the police commissioner for damages. |
| You can read more here. | You can read more here. |
| 5.01am BST | 5.01am BST |
| 05:01 | 05:01 |
| Baltimore police commissioner says officers will recover | Baltimore police commissioner says officers will recover |
| Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony Batts has been addressing the press in Baltimore. | Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony Batts has been addressing the press in Baltimore. |
| Commissioner Batts provides an update to members of the media. pic.twitter.com/aup23oOP0w | Commissioner Batts provides an update to members of the media. pic.twitter.com/aup23oOP0w |
| Batts: "This is our city, lets make a difference." #BaltimoreRiots pic.twitter.com/8JXkiq2MfH | Batts: "This is our city, lets make a difference." #BaltimoreRiots pic.twitter.com/8JXkiq2MfH |
| He said he was “extremely disappointed” with events in Baltimore this evening. | He said he was “extremely disappointed” with events in Baltimore this evening. |
| One officer’s left knee cap was severely damaged, but Batts said that all the officers will be ok. | One officer’s left knee cap was severely damaged, but Batts said that all the officers will be ok. |
| Batts condemned the actions of some of the people involved in the unrest, and said: “This is not protesting. This is not your first amendment rights. This is criminal activity”. | Batts condemned the actions of some of the people involved in the unrest, and said: “This is not protesting. This is not your first amendment rights. This is criminal activity”. |
| 4.49am BST | 4.49am BST |
| 04:49 | 04:49 |
| I’m handing over live coverage of rioting in Baltimore to my colleague Paul Farrell in Sydney. | I’m handing over live coverage of rioting in Baltimore to my colleague Paul Farrell in Sydney. |
| 4.23am BST | 4.23am BST |
| 04:23 | 04:23 |
| It appears the National Guard are now arriving in Baltimore City: | It appears the National Guard are now arriving in Baltimore City: |
| Heavy artillery. Military grade hardware. pic.twitter.com/dZFuAmmiKb | Heavy artillery. Military grade hardware. pic.twitter.com/dZFuAmmiKb |
| It has red glowing lights inside, as if the size wasn't ominous enough. #BaltimoreRiots pic.twitter.com/Ctydk6tdHd | It has red glowing lights inside, as if the size wasn't ominous enough. #BaltimoreRiots pic.twitter.com/Ctydk6tdHd |
| National Guard trucks leaving Camp Fetetered pic.twitter.com/ZLhqHPhTek | National Guard trucks leaving Camp Fetetered pic.twitter.com/ZLhqHPhTek |
| 4.19am BST | 4.19am BST |
| 04:19 | 04:19 |
| Here’s a video clip of the Baltimore City Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake press conference earlier today. | Here’s a video clip of the Baltimore City Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake press conference earlier today. |
| It is likely that the mayor’s decision making tonight and over the weekend is going to come under intense scrutiny. | It is likely that the mayor’s decision making tonight and over the weekend is going to come under intense scrutiny. |
| Her words from a press conference on Sunday, after protesters clashed with police dressed in riot gear on Saturday night, are being pored over by commentators. | Her words from a press conference on Sunday, after protesters clashed with police dressed in riot gear on Saturday night, are being pored over by commentators. |
| On Sunday, Rawlings-Blake said: | On Sunday, Rawlings-Blake said: |
| “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.” | “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.” |
| At today’s press conference, which happened hours after the unrest began, Rawlings-Blake accused members of the media of taking her words out of context. | At today’s press conference, which happened hours after the unrest began, Rawlings-Blake accused members of the media of taking her words out of context. |
| But already questions are being raised about how quickly officers responded to looting and rioting going on in North Avenue earlier today, and how quickly firefighters attended to blazes throughout the city. | But already questions are being raised about how quickly officers responded to looting and rioting going on in North Avenue earlier today, and how quickly firefighters attended to blazes throughout the city. |
| Others are also citing a press release issued by the Baltimore City Police earlier today, which said they had received “credible information” that gangs in the city had entered into partnership to “take out” police officers. | Others are also citing a press release issued by the Baltimore City Police earlier today, which said they had received “credible information” that gangs in the city had entered into partnership to “take out” police officers. |
| In a number of interviews on TV today, Baltimore Police officers were asked if these threats may have contributed to them initially holding off. | In a number of interviews on TV today, Baltimore Police officers were asked if these threats may have contributed to them initially holding off. |
| There are others who are already questioning the decision to shut the city’s public schools tomorrow. Many of those out on the street tonight were young, and colleagues observed some of school age involved in looting. | There are others who are already questioning the decision to shut the city’s public schools tomorrow. Many of those out on the street tonight were young, and colleagues observed some of school age involved in looting. |
| This is one of our darkest days. But I am confident that the will of good can overcome the destructive interest of a few. | This is one of our darkest days. But I am confident that the will of good can overcome the destructive interest of a few. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.38am BST | at 4.38am BST |