Legal chief hopes Baltimore violence was a 'one-time aberration'

By Euronews

Published on 29/04/2015 - 03:37

Riot-torn Baltimore has been put under curfew following Monday night’s violence which saw 19 buildings set ablaze and at least 230 arrests. More than

Riot-torn Baltimore has been put under curfew following Monday night’s violence which saw 19 buildings set ablaze and at least 230 arrests.

More than 3,000 police backed up by National Guard officers have taken up posts in front of shops and hospitals, although as the curfew began youths were once again on the streets.

Baltimore issues citywide nighttime curfew, youth version ‘essentially 24 hours per day’ http://t.co/UvegyNHkWa pic.twitter.com/uAlbGJA9sw
— agcultural2 (@agcultural2) April 29, 2015

Earlier Maryland’s top lawyer, Attorney General Brian E. Frosh talked to euronews of his concerns:

“I hope it was not the turning point for the country.What we hope is that last night was the one-time aberration and that it won’t happen again. The governor has declared a state of emergency. We hope that that will help clam things down.It’s a pretty terrible legacy.”

Baltimore police will enforce the 10 p.m. curfew tonight, police Capt. Eric Kowalczyk said. http://t.co/quOQVRyRxK.
— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) April 29, 2015

The night time curfew is set to last throughout the week. The security crisis has disrupted city life with the closure of schools and businesses.

One Baltimore resident expressed her frustration:
“In the media, they depict us as animals and they pick the most ignorant and inarticulate person to interview and talk about the situation. And in reality, we are all fed up.”

.BarackObama</a> : Violence in Baltimore is 'counterproductive.' <a href="http://t.co/RqDNwotQKk">http://t.co/RqDNwotQKk</a> <a href="http://t.co/sPe21assgt">pic.twitter.com/sPe21assgt</a></p>— CNN (CNN) April 28, 2015

Volunteers have begun to clean up after Monday night’s destruction.

The violence began after the funeral of 25-year-old Freddie Gray who died several days after allegedly sustaining injuries while in police custody.

Six officers have been suspended.

Monday night’s ransacking of stores, pharmacies and a shopping mall and clashes with police in riot gear was reminiscent of rioting in Ferguson, Missouri, in 2014 after authorities declined to indict a white police officer who shot dead an unarmed black teenager.

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