How does disagreement with police actions or court decisions transition to, "Let's riot, loot and destroy our city?"

Angry mother beats son for participating in Baltimore riots

Now this is clearly part of the solution, parents who care enough to stop their children from acts of violence and stupidity.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRlmCf1Kj2o

SSG Michael Hasbun, TSgt Jackie Jones, COL Jean (John) F. Burleson, Lt Col Fred Marheine, PMP, COL Charles Williams

Simply thugs and criminals taking advantage of any situation to steal and destroy property.

Calling them "protestors" and trying to rationalize or justify the reasons behind their actions does nothing to rectify it. The only way to deal with them is through arrest, prosecution and incarceration. An example needs to be made of them to dissuade others from doing the same thing.

I understand the societal situation that has contributed to the lawlessness, but that does not justify it nor does it mean that we need to walk softly in our response instead of carrying a big stick. Nothing will resolve the situation but prompt and efficient police action. Once the situation has been brought under control, the underlying issues can be addressed, but we simply cannot condone lawlessness because of underlying social issues.

Did I hear that schools were cancelled. If they were how could/would that action help this situation?

It is our right to peacefully assemble however once that Assembly is no longer peaceful protester should disperse or move away from the illegal activities. Doing this would ensure their safety and clear the way for law enforcement to be able to better protect the assets of the community. If a protester starts to riot cause physical damage to other people or property they are no longer considered peaceful in their assembly and should be arrested for their criminal acts. Also if peaceful protester comes to the aid or interferes with law enforcement during the arrest there too are breaking the law and again should be arrested.

There is a right way to do thing and there is a wrong way. My city has a lot of historic building and I'll be damned if I just sit back and watch someone attempt to destroy it.

Once again the Police Point Out that the trouble makers for the most part are coming from outside the neighborhood. It is almost as if it were an organized crime in action; one group raises hell and keeps the police back and the other steals everything around. Some how I suspect gangs being involved with the fires and looting for none other than money. It has also been reported that the Bloods and the Crips are even working together now to kill police officers.

It was great stand by the local churches to come out in force to try and stop the stupidity; they did not to harm anyone or burn anything. Their only message was peace! The Criminals did not seem to care about that either; they had no respect whatsoever for people from the community! Then to burn down a church, that is about as low as it gets.

I wonder what percentage of protesters are disenfranchised members of society. When passions run high, the mob mentality will come to fruition.

SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP', Brother, as both a Black man and someone currently in the Baltimore area, I have covered you and your loved ones in prayer for safety.

I grew up in the Midwest cornfields, so from a firsthand perspective, I lack the credentials in the eyes of many to speak to this issue, COL Charles Williams. In fact, on more than one occasion, I have been told to my face that because I am a white male, I must learn and accept the reality that I cannot question the anger, fears, frustrations, and resentments within the American Black community because my doing so would only re-victimize them, and I had already done enough damage! This was at a teacher's workshop called "Checking Your White Privilege." Because the facilitator fostered an environment where I felt my questions were not welcome, I walked out.

I mention this experience because it seems to me to be part of the broader trend coming from academia that perpetuates the notion that because Black Americans have been the victims of racial prejudice and institutionalized racism in the past, the practice of civil disobedience; up to and including the widespread destruction of commercial and private property through acts of looting, arson, and vandalism is not only justifiable, it is seemingly now encouraged. Consider the Saturday remarks of Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings - Blake; who in addition to providing a safe place for those protesting the death of Freddie Gray, also sought to provide a safe place for those wishing to destroy property! Yes, the Mayor of Baltimore essentially endorsed the mess she now has on her hands. But the disturbing point of evolution here in my opinion is the fact that if elected officials no longer see it as their obligation to employ the police to protect the private property of their citizens, who will fill that void? These same politicians bemoan the proliferation of guns on the streets, but they won't get rid of them now if the folks in the neighborhoods don't feel they can count on the cops when the stuff hits the fan!

It's very sad, because we've seen the results of riots before. They destroy the city's already-fragile economy, and decades later, we still see the blight and empty buildings in Compton, LA, etc. It also pisses me off to see the gangs come in from outside Baltimore to instigate riots and burning in the city. They'll leave in a week or a month, and leave the people of Baltimore with the mess. The people of Baltimore should reject the outside influence and keep their own city intact. Fight the problem peacefully to reform police practices and policy...fire the cops (or charge them with crimes, if you have the evidence) with records of brutality...the Baltimore Chief of Police is ready to listen.

There is a different between protest and riots. One might affect change, the other...not so much.

What the communities of Baltimore failed to see is that they had the perfect stage in the beginning where the people could be the voice of the city and be heard. They needed representatives of the communities to be the mediators between the people and the city, turn their anger into something positive. The same Organizations/Governments the communities feel have been "controlling their lives", the people have just empowered them to tighten the grip even more.

If the communities would have been civilized and patient, waited for the completion of the police investigation into the incident with Mr. Freddie Gray, more respect could have been earned as a city, and more cooperation would have been gained from the Organizations/Governments.

But as we have seen in the news reports, it's not about Mr. Gray anymore. This is about personal gain and lawlessness. Opportunists taking advantage of a situation that would otherwise not present itself. When this all goes back to normal, and the streets are clear, the same one that were in power before, will still be in power after!