Baltimore Is in a State of Chaos

Baltimore has experienced quite a week filled violence and damage, but will continue to fight to keep their city alive. Collateral damage is often the result of a state of chaos and Baltimore is reacting. As a result, many of the demonstrations throughout the country started with Michael Brown in Missouri, Eric Garner in New York and Scott Walter in South Carolina. These demonstrations have proven to spread a negative effect on the nation. The current state of Baltimore is chaotic, preparing for change at how to deal with future demonstrations and acts of violence. The event in Ferguson, Missouri seems to have had a domino effect on the country. Freddie Gray’s death may have encouraged Monday night’s string of events. With the previous demonstrations leading the most current events in Baltimore, there is no telling if or when these violent demonstrations will come to an end.

Monday night it started defiant protesters having a showdown with the police. The police were called to address the problem, they were brutally attacked with rocks and bricks being thrown at them. The police are supposed to serve and protect, and not get abused by simply attempting to their jobs. You can simply come to the conclusion that the police authority is simply not respected in Baltimore or any of the states that these protests have occurred. This is sad because not having some authority to do damage control is not a positive or a safe situation to be in. This devastating event led to plenty of damages and resulted in hundreds of cars being burned down, along with buildings and personal property. To make matters the looters came out and destroyed private businesses and stole and damaged personal property. Monday and Tuesday were quite the eye-openers for residents of these areas that have suffered the damages caused by these protests.

A mandatory curfew was placed in effect this week from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. EST. Schools were shut down, college classes rescheduled, Baltimore Orioles games postponed and Baltimore Ravens game was called off. It’s an official state of emergency when so many events are affected by violence, destruction and threats to personal property and life. However, Baltimoreans do not give up they move forward, they are reacting as best they can and by cleaning up the mess while the National Guard members are on stand-by to prevent any further destruction. Over 200 people were arrested, 144 cars were set on fire, and 10 major blazes were caused. In taking advantage of a city under siege. Over 2000 National Guard members were on duty and 1000 Maryland and surrounding area police officers were on duty as well. Yes, this week was full of changes that transformed Baltimore into a state of Chaos.

Since, the curfew has been placed in effect, it has been mostly successful and Baltimore has retrieved some of the peace back. As always in situations of violent demonstrations, there is always a negative reaction against being prohibited to do something. There is some defiance by small number of people who do not accept or react well to authority. Baltimore and it chaotic state will find its way back to the normal, but it will take a lot of time and understanding. There has been a lot of blame with knowing the full truth and hopefully one day there will be peace to all this destruction. Baltimore will survive and be strong again.

By Elina Brik

Sources:
CNN
USA Today
ABC News
Photo by Vladimir Badikov – Creativecommons Flickr License