I learned of the rioting going on in Baltimore while watching the Red Sox-Orioles game. It came about during protests against Baltimore PD over the death of Freddie Gray while in their custody earlier this month.
In the eighth inning, Red Sox play by play man Don Orsillo drew viewers attention to the scoreboard which informed fans to remain in the ballpark after the conclusion of the game on orders by Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.
The game went into extra innings which the O’s won in the bottom of the 10th on a walk off HR by David Lough. It’s too bad the game didn’t last a little longer because the fans could be preoccupied with something other than rioting. When the MLB Network showed Lough’s HR, Scott Braun said that his homer “sent the fans home.” I shouted at the TV, “No Scott. It didn’t.”
Fortunately, the lockdown was shortlived and fans were allowed to leave, but to proceed cautiously.
Now there’s no question the Baltimore PD fibbed when they said that Gray was “arrested without force or incident”. Gray had his spinal cord severed. If that isn’t an incident then I don’t know what is. Gray died of his injuries a week ago.
Because Gray was black there are accusations that the actions of the Baltimore PD were racially motivated. But at this point there is simply no evidence to support that claim. Six Baltimore PD officers have been suspended amid a local investigation. The Baltimore PD has admitted it deprived Gray of medical care and the Department of Justice has also announced a probe.
The outbreak of violent protests is wrong under any circumstances, but are especially heinous before these investigations have been concluded. I’m not sure what else these protesters want apart from having the heads of the six Baltimore PD officers on sticks. Because these “protesters” have chosen not to keep their tempers in check we have fans, players and personnel of both the Red Sox & Orioles as well as many other people going about their business in downtown Baltimore caught the crossfire. With this in mind, I hope the Baltimore PD can discern rioters from law abiding residents and visitors.
