Protests in Baltimore (Maryland, USA) turned into riots with dozens of casualties. The cause of the protests was the death of a young black American whose spine was broken by police during his arrest. The National Guard has been brought into the city, a curfew has been established for a week, reports the British The Guardian.
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US National Guard troops and armored personnel carriers entered Baltimore after violent clashes, looting and fires sparked by protests over the death of Freddie Gray, whose spine was broken by police during his arrest. The city has a curfew for a week, prohibiting going out at night.
At least 27 people have been arrested after riots broke out following Freddie Gray's funeral service. Fifteen police officers were injured in Monday night's unrest, six of them seriously.
Youths began throwing bricks and bottles at police in riot gear shortly after Gray was buried in the afternoon. Shops at Mondawmin Shopping Center were looted and police cars were set on fire.
Repeatedly denouncing the rioters as “thugs,” Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake set a citywide curfew between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. starting Tuesday night.
As the chaos unfolded, the Gray family remained calm. “I think violence is wrong,” his twin sister Frederica said late Monday.
Freddie Gray (25) died in hospital. A week earlier, while being detained by police, his neck was broken and he fell into a coma.
The family gangs reportedly met on Monday evening and declared a black guerrilla, vowing to each kill one policeman. 1,5 thousand National Guard soldiers were brought into the city, plus an additional 5 thousand police officers from neighboring states.