Canisters of tear gas litter the streets of Baltimore.
Police release an unidentified green gas to disperse protestors.
MD State Troopers arriving at the scene.
Protests in Baltimore over the weekend continue today. The protests themselves have been largely peaceful, but the police response to them has been tense and militaristic.
The protests are a result of the death of Freddie Gray, a 25 year old black man who died in police custody from severe spinal injuries after a "rough ride" in the back of a police van. According to video footage of the arrest, Gray was tackled by police, handcuffed, and led screaming in pain to a transport van. It took over an hour for Baltimore Police to seek medical attention for Gray, who was not restrained in a seat belt for the trip. At least once police had to pick him up off the floor of the vehicle and place him back in a seat. Gray's spinal cord was 80% severed and he died a week later from his injuries.
Gray's death is but one in a series of recent wrongful deaths at the hands of police; echoing the wrongful death of Eric Garner in New York (strangled for selling loose cigarettes) and Walter Scott in South Carolina (shot repeatedly in the back as he fled police).
The protests are widespread, with diverse fronts emerging on Saturday at City Hall and Baltimore Police Headquarters, before converging upon Camden Yards. Police responded to the demonstrations in full riot gear, attempting to sweep protestors out of the way; moving down the street shoulder to shoulder with shields and weapons drawn.
Today, police have responded to protests in Mondawmin with more sweeps and by releasing a green gas into the crowds. Photographers on the ground anticipate police response to protestors to intensify throughout the night. For up to the minute details on the protests, follow @deray and @BaltoSpectator on Twitter.
Additional photo updates follow below the fold.
UPDATE: There are reports that the police are using tear gas and rubber bullets. Portions of the protest are becoming hostile. More updates as I get them.
Another picture of the deployed canisters. "Military Style".
A protestor stands in front of police line trying to calm others
Footage of Baltimore FD arriving at the burning CVS drugstore.
Apparently every police department in Maryland has sent their heavy armored division to Baltimore.
[Presented w/o comment]
Some teens are throwing rocks at officers in a residential neighborhood.
Then again, the officers had been throwing rocks at them.
Police mace a child... from inside their armored vehicle.
A moment of levity as the city goes to hell.
Shots fired.