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Behind the lines: An inside look at the protests on Baltimore's streets

Behind the lines: An inside look at the protests on Baltimore's streets

By Adam Saewitz

The news Friday that six Baltimore police officers have been charged in the death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray culminates a week of protests and violence that have transfixed the city, country and much of the world.

The week began with protests that slipped into anarchy, followed by the city and its residents taking steps to not just clean its streets, but also restore its image. That image — a city of “thugs” and violent youngsters — was broadcast live around the world. But a closer examination of the ground in Baltimore found that the image burned into the minds of Americans may have been a false one. Residents in Baltimore believe cameras focused solely on the chaos, and not on the many residents peacefully calling for change in the wake of Gray’s death.

At the intersection of Pennsylvania and North avenues, for instance, was a scene of predominantly peaceful demonstrations against police brutality. As heavily armored National Guard units rolled in to keep the peace, Baltimore cops holding batons and shields maintained a lockdown of sections of West Baltimore to enforce the daily curfew.

But while national and international media outlets had their tripods locked on the ring of protestors facing the line of police in riot gear, jazz musicians played, capoeira dancers performed and groups of protestors mingled and chanted, “Justice for Freddie Gray.” The tone of the dialogues and speeches throughout the week were varied, with religious leaders and activists on megaphones pronouncing, “Jesus is love,” while others engaged in conversations about systemic oppression.

Even police officers listened, some staring into the distance with shields resting on their arms. Many officers would candidly chat up the crowd if prompted. Some residents greeted and shook the hands of officers they recognized. At times, calm was felt, though it seemed nearly everyone — police and residents alike —hoped order could be maintained as the sun set. Activists shouted in protest against the well-documented brutality that the Baltimore Police Department has inflicted on the community for decades.

As community elders stress peace and due process in the aftermath of Gray’s death, many are suspicious of what occurred inside the police van and how his voice box was crushed and spine was severely injured. Gray survived for a week in a coma until he passed away.