Week long curfew in Baltimore as unrest begins after the killing of a man in custody

The city of Baltimore has begun a week-long nightly curfew, owing to the unrest sparked after the untimely death of a young Black man held in police custody.

Riots and other strifes broke out on Monday, soon after the funeral of Freddie Gray, who suffered from an ”unexplained” spinal cord injury when he was taken into custody by the police. Freddie Gray, according to the police, has a long chain of crimes to his account, with drug-peddling dominating. The curfew was imposed the next night, as a mark of protest. Not even a single person has been allowed to be on the streets from 10:00 at night to 5:00 in the morning, however barring some emergency workers and other local people who have classes or urgent work to be accomplished. The curfew remains in effect until 4th May. Ever since the curfew began, violence has gone down, with business suffering equally.

Photo: AP /Craig Ruttle

Investigators and other associated officials with the city police and other agencies are still in the process of recreating the events of those 45 minutes, during which Gray had  sustained a severe and untimely brutal injury, owing to his death. His sudden death has sparked controversies, with people mourning all over the world and criticising the police officials. Besides the fatal damage to his spinal cord, Gray also had a crushed voice box which further deteriorated his condition.

Horrified officials then called for paramedics who responded quickly, spending around 21 minutes treating Gray at the station, later bringing Gray at the Maryland Shock Trauma Center, where Gray fell into a coma and died a week later at 10 in the morning.

Of the six suspended officers involved in his detention— Lt. Brian Rice, Sgt. Alicia White, and associated Officers William Porter, Garrett Miller, Edward Nero and Caesar Goodson Jr. – Five have successfully surrendered and provided their respective statements regarding the same. However, the officer still remains unnamed who has refused to release a statement, according to sources. The police union continues to defend the actions of all those involved, stating that it was simple and routine investigation on their part. “We want all six!” are the chants that have been ringing all over the city.

[Cover Image: AP /Craig Ruttle]

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