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Timestamp: 4/29/2015 22:31:56
Name (Optional): John Williams
Tell us about your experience and how it made you feel: I'm a former 14-year residence Lafayette projects. I'm a retired MTA Police Officer. I believe I've seen this story from both sides.
As a resident of Lafayette projects I have experienced the frustration of complaints going unheard, of mistreatment the hands of the police,ugh not having a father figure in the house and watching my mother try to eek out a living with limited assistance.
I've tried to make sense of what I seen over these past couple of days and Baltimore City. Personal experience, my reasoning of the events may be biased.
I believe the overt actions of those protesters wreaked havoc representative of the overwhelming fear and frustration that has been building for many generations. has been instilled in us grandparents our parents. as soon as we can walk, they tell us, open quotation don't run! Don't act out! Don't make noise! Sit quietly!they tell us this and hope that we won't be looked down upon by the fairer race. initially, we don't know why we receive these instructions, but eventually when we place time and circumstance with the utterance of these instructions it becomes clearthe reason for this extreme order. After years of being taught to fear and ears of not being heard when we complaincoupled with the fairly recent treatment of those suspected of criminal activity, and in some cases those that appear to have committed no crime and old or severely injured beaten or killed, the fear returns.
The destruction of property and the assaults on police, though inexcusable, are a result of the fear. these actions say, today I will not fear you, to prove to you that I do not fear you I will attack you. I will commit atrocities that you threaten to arrest me beat me kill me for in your presence to show you that I do not fear you.
This is just my personal take on it. I don't condone violence destruction but if asked to attempt to understand what has occurred, this would represent my understanding past events.
Location (Please be specific so we can map it): Middle River
Email (Optional): chill0074@gmail.com
location: 39.3342744,-76.4394056
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Timestamp: 4/29/2015 11:07:03
Name (Optional):
Tell us about your experience and how it made you feel: On Saturday afternoon, I watched the peaceful march down Pennsylvania Ave via WBAL's live feed. It was a fascinating scene and I felt that this was a positive thing for Baltimore. As more violent incidents occurred that eventing, I was unsure and skeptical of what was being broadcast. The images from the cameras were not as dire as the words coming from the local anchors and reporters mouths. Nothing was clear and I was not willing to accept that the same people that marched peacefully were the same protestors or outside agitators that were being shown. On Monday, as the reports of an actual riot occurring started coming in, I was filled with sadness, anger, fear, and compassion. What we have seen can't be simplified into one word or emotion. It is far too complex to be boiled down to a headline or sound byte. I know that I will be pondering what I saw and felt for weeks and months to come. I will wrestle with how I feel about what I saw, how I feel about those involved, and, most importantly, what I can do to make sure this never happens again. We should welcome those who want to ask the proper questions of police, organizers, government and residents. We need to fight back against anyone who tries to simplify this or use it for their personal or corporate gain. I hope that all who love Baltimore will not let fear change their feelings for the city and that they will return to dine, shop, and play there. We can't abandon the city as was done in the past. We need it and it needs us.
Location (Please be specific so we can map it): Rolllingbrook Way, Catonsville, MD
Email (Optional): biffxmas@verizon.net
location: 39.269292,-76.760876
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Timestamp: 4/30/2015 18:23:19
Name (Optional): Dorothy Hardin
Tell us about your experience and how it made you feel: As I read articles in The Baltimore Sun online and watched TV cable news coverage of recent events connected to the death of Freddie Gray, I felt disconsolate about my birthplace and had flashbacks to the riots in 1968. My husband, Wayne (then a reporter for The Atlanta Journal), and I were newly married when Dr. King was assassinated. As Atlanta handled this horrific event with dignity and care, parts of Baltimore burned. Although I saw the news reports on TV, my mother was our primary source for the riots and their aftermath. Each week, she dutifully snail-mailed the articles clipped daily from The Morning Sun and The Evening Sun. This was a pre-Internet time without the influence of social media. I could not interact flexibly then as I have done in recent days through tweets, emails, and Facebook posts about the current surreal situation in the city I still love. As in decades past, I am hoping Baltimore will rise from the ashes and chaos and will have yet another new beginning. Perhaps this time the city will get it right.
Location (Please be specific so we can map it): Palmyra PA
Email (Optional): dhardin44@comcast
location: 40.3089798,-76.5933012
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Timestamp: 4/29/2015 20:35:11
Name (Optional):
Tell us about your experience and how it made you feel: I am a teacher in the city and teach right off North Ave. At 12:15 the staff and students received notice that all after-school activities would be canceled and students were expected to leave immediately after school, with no explanation as to why. Through the afternoon many parents came to pick their students up and students began sharing information about a "purge." Students said that people were planning to loot at the mall and some even thought that they were going to attack our school. There was a lot of confusion and students were nervous. Teachers were asked to go home as well, as we were closing the building. That night I, like many, watched in horror as parts of the city descended into chaos, but the following day, with schools closed, fellow teachers and I headed out to North Ave. to help clean up, and we also worked to open a community space for students. Many businesses donated food, and people came and brought water, art supplies, and offered their time as we tried to create a safe space for students and their families in the community. When students returned on Wednesday we shared our reactions, and many students said they felt angry and powerless about what happened. Some of my students know people who participated in looting or violence towards law enforcement, but none of my students condoned it. We also had some students who were personally affected and unable to come to school or who did not feel it was safe to leave home. For those who were there, we discussed reasons for the unrest, and I heard from students that people in our city need help and opportunity, and that was the cause.
Location (Please be specific so we can map it): 1500 Barclay St., Baltimore, MD, 21224
Email (Optional): deanna.delgado@gmail.com
location: 39.3072184,-76.6110604
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Timestamp: 4/30/2015 12:56:27
Name (Optional): LS
Tell us about your experience and how it made you feel: There is most certainly police harassment and injustice in this city. It makes people feel powerless over their own lives and it needs to change, but change can only occur once those in power are held accountable and those in power can only be held accountable after they know what truly happened. Freddie Gray's death is a tragedy, but unlike Michael Brown and a whole host of other young black men killed at the hands of police, the true circumstances that surrounded his death remain unknown. As a result, I have all the sympathy in the world for the protestors. They seemed to actually be having an impact and I am sure they will not rest until there is justice for Freddie and significant police reform. I also have sympathy for the rioters in 1968 and the rioters in Ferguson, even if I don't completely understand their rationale. I have no sympathy whatsoever for children who preemptively plan to destroy property in the name of justice because they think they can get away with it, who make the reputation of our city even worse, and who detract from the good work others have done.
Location (Please be specific so we can map it): Pleasant Pl, Baltimore, MD
Email (Optional): lee.r.stein@gmail.com
location: 39.3317326,-76.6319789
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Timestamp: 4/30/2015 16:47:28
Name (Optional): James Connors
Tell us about your experience and how it made you feel: As a transplanted east coaster, I've watched with dread and horror, what has happened to your great and beautiful city. My life partner is a native of Baltimore and through his exposure, I have come to TRULY love Baltimore city! My heart breaks to see the sadness in his eyes when we watch the news reports. My soul aches when I think about the reasons why this has happened.
As a culture and a supposedly 'civilized' society, haven't we learned ANYTHING YET? Why does all of this madness continue? And by madness, I mean ALL of it - the police brutality towards all people, the economic disparity of the rich and the poor, our political leaders who govern with their own 'agendas; my list could go on and on, however I think you get my message.
The violence and hatred must stop or NOTHING will be accomplished. We here on the west coast have also had our issues with accountability from the police. Nothing will change until the people demand a change! Keep demanding and don't let this fade off the radar! However, BE PEACEFUL BALTIMORE and try not to give anyone a reason to tarnish your message! BE STRONG BALTIMORE and keep your demonstrations peaceful! BE HOPEFUL BALTIMORE and show the rest of the world HOW IT CAN BE DONE! This is one of those 'defining moments' in history and you want to 'define' it correctly!
The rest of the US, and the world, are praying for you! BE STRONG BALTIMORE, BE STRONG!
Location (Please be specific so we can map it): San Francisco, CA
Email (Optional): james-connors@att.net
location: 37.7749295,-122.4194155
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Timestamp: 4/29/2015 21:36:34
Name (Optional): James
Tell us about your experience and how it made you feel: I encountered a group of 500 or so people marching in the street while walking my dog, at around 7:30pm. The group I witnessed was diverse and peaceful. Some people were chanting, others carrying signs and flags, and others taking pictures. Had I not had my easily excitable dog with me, I would have jumped right in! Its refreshing to see the issue of police brutality getting the attention it deserves, and even more sweet to see so many people dedicated to getting that message through DESPITE all of the violence and destruction caused by a small minority of Baltimore residents. Despite the scary stories I've heard from other parts of town, this group seemed like 500 of my friends. There was a light police presence, mostly escorting in the front and rear. I'm sure plenty of backup was staged nearby, as there were multiple helicopters overhead and tons of law enforcement presence throughout the city. Although, after seeing the video of the WeAreChange journalists being shot with less lethal munitions, the increased presence doesn't make me any more comfortable...
Location (Please be specific so we can map it): Baltimore MD
Email (Optional): jajernigan0@gmail.com
location: 39.2903848,-76.6121893
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Timestamp: 4/29/2015 20:34:04
Name (Optional):
Tell us about your experience and how it made you feel: I am a teacher in the city and teach right off North Ave. At 12:15 the staff and students received notice that all after-school activities would be canceled and students were expected to leave immediately after school, with no explanation as to why. Through the afternoon many parents came to pick their students up and students began sharing information about a "purge." Students said that people were planning to loot at the mall and some even thought that they were going to attack our school. There was a lot of confusion and students were nervous. Teachers were asked to go home as well, as we were closing the building. That night I, like many, watched in horror as parts of the city descended into chaos, but the following day, with schools closed, fellow teachers and I headed out to North Ave. to help clean up, and we also worked to open a community space for students. Many businesses donated food, and people came and brought water, art supplies, and offered their time as we tried to create a safe space for students and their families in the community. When students returned on Wednesday we shared our reactions, and many students said they felt angry and powerless about what happened. Some of my students know people who participated in looting or violence towards law enforcement, but none of my students condoned it. We also had some students who were personally affected and unable to come to school or who did not feel it was safe to leave home. For those who were there, we discussed reasons for the unrest, and I heard from students that people in our city need help and opportunity, and that was the cause.
Location (Please be specific so we can map it): Baltimore
Email (Optional): deanna.delgado@gmail.com
location: 39.2903848,-76.6121893
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Timestamp: 4/30/2015 17:53:59
Name (Optional): Ness
Tell us about your experience and how it made you feel: I was initially angry at the national media, which didn't notice a week of peaceful protests before the (historically small) unrest of Monday night, then they privileged property over people. I've been following mostly on Twitter, which seems to me closer to the people and events. I am proud of the communities of Baltimore, of the students and professors here at UMBC who are participating in the city. I am moved by the number of people, of cities showing solidarity for #baltimoreuprising. I have hope--though the historian in me is cynical--that all of the protests from Ferguson onward will lead to better oversight of the force, better training and community involvement, and a broader awareness of racial bias in our police and prison systems. I worry that this uprising will be used as an excuse not to invest in those neighborhoods that need it most.
Location (Please be specific so we can map it): Winesap Court, Catonsville, MD 21228
Email (Optional): faewolf@gmail.com
location: 39.2810512,-76.7560678
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Timestamp: 4/29/2015 20:28:34
Name (Optional):
Tell us about your experience and how it made you feel: I am from Mississippi where racism and police brutality is an everyday thing for black Mississippians. Whenever this goes on in Mississippi, we don't destroy our own neighborhoods nor no one else's. We protest, stand still, and educate ourselves. I understand the anger and frustration with the black Baltimoreans, but I will never understand vandalizing your own neighborhoods. They mostly destroyed black own businesses. Even when the looted at mondawmin, they did not touch target, shoppers, marshals, nor Ross. I feel that they should protest in an orderly fashion and stand still. Take it from someone who had a burning cross stuck in their yard by the KKK.
Location (Please be specific so we can map it): 30 W Biddle St Baltimore, MD 21201
Email (Optional):
location: 39.3035484,-76.61710819999999
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Timestamp: 4/29/2015 20:28:39
Name (Optional):
Tell us about your experience and how it made you feel: I am from Mississippi where racism and police brutality is an everyday thing for black Mississippians. Whenever this goes on in Mississippi, we don't destroy our own neighborhoods nor no one else's. We protest, stand still, and educate ourselves. I understand the anger and frustration with the black Baltimoreans, but I will never understand vandalizing your own neighborhoods. They mostly destroyed black own businesses. Even when the looted at mondawmin, they did not touch target, shoppers, marshals, nor Ross. I feel that they should protest in an orderly fashion and stand still. Take it from someone who had a burning cross stuck in their yard by the KKK.
Location (Please be specific so we can map it): 30 W Biddle St Baltimore, MD 21201
Email (Optional):
location: 39.3035484,-76.61710819999999
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Timestamp: 4/30/2015 17:45:16
Name (Optional):
Tell us about your experience and how it made you feel: I believe the riots were divine intervention. Who in their right mind let's teenagers out of school, with no way home, in the middle of the day, with no adult supervision, and then aggravates them during a very emotional time for the whole city. It was stupid and incendiary to the whole situation. Furthermore, this is not the 60's generation or any other generation. These kids are a whole new breed. So of course that situation blew up in the face of local officials. Yet I believe it was divine intervention because it clearly showed the Willie Lunch syndrome has ended and I am so encouraged. The idea of pitting us against one another: the young against the old, the 'thugs' against the working poor, educated Blacks against the poorly educated. The main stream media tried every trick in the book and we stood firm. The Councilman who refused to call our children 'thugs' and said, "say what you mean". The Crips and Bloods that spoke like true 'G's' and said the main stream media was lieing and refused to be blamed. The community workers who told how the riot really started. The older people who started coming out to support the protest after seeing how it was being portrayed. The college students who supported the inner city by speaking of the real issues and not being swayed. The riots and the medias portrayal cause Chicago, New York and D.C. to protest in support. Now racist America can be scared because they should be. When you see real solidarity of Blacks from all walks of life, when you see Crips and Bloods and the Nation of Islam in one picture, when you see the older generation come out in support, when you see educated Blacks not disavowing their impoverished brothers and sista's, when you see people across the nation come out and show support so those in the spotlight know they are not alone, that's when you should be scared. Yet, the best part is that the police and the media did exactly what they always do so routinely, so blatantly, so transparently it worked counter to their goal. I am one of those who don't want us as Blacks to lose this moment. I want us to capitalize on it. The officers responsible will most likely get off because our justice system hasn't changed only we have. But the riots got us to network and meet new people. They showed us that we are united. They brought back that ol' attitude of perseverance through adversary. So after all the deaths we are finally ready to stand together and demand whatever we want from America. So of it's justice, reparations, respect or a.price of America that is ours and ours alone we can do that now that we are one because we were never going to do it separate from one another.
Location (Please be specific so we can map it): Toledo, Ohio
Email (Optional): chanelservice@hotmail.com
location: 41.6639383,-83.55521200000001
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Timestamp: 4/29/2015 10:55:55
Name (Optional): Bridget
Tell us about your experience and how it made you feel: On Thursday, April 23, I was scheduled to take a photo with a group of The Daily Record's "20 in Their Twenties" honorees at the Eutaw Street entrance of Camden Yards. Upon leaving the city, driving down Pratt Street toward Gay Street, I noticed (mostly unmanned) police SUVs parked on the sidewalk of almost every corner from Howard to Gay. There was an increased police presence, but it was very quiet and calm. When I turned down Gay Street, peaceful protesting had slowly started at City Hall, and there was a frenzy of media photographers, reporters and cameras calmly waiting for something to happen, for something to start. The media were already reporting before anything ever happened. I find it fascinating that so many reporters, anchors, photographers, put their personal safety at risk to cover the events between April 23 and today. And not one single related event went uncovered because of it. Everything was caught on camera, in print or online. It's the new age of storytelling - and I think almost everyone was heard by someone in some way. The volume of coverage called into question the quality, fairness and content, but journalists covering the riots became part of the story, and I'm proud of them for risking it all so the rest of us never missed a beat.
Location (Please be specific so we can map it): Eutaw Street and Camden Street, Camden Yards Eutaw St. Entrance
Email (Optional): bridget.forney@gmail.com
location: 39.285235, -76.620675
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Timestamp: 4/29/2015 11:13:51
Name (Optional): Elizabeth
Tell us about your experience and how it made you feel: If this had happened a year ago, my reaction would probably have been a lot different. We just moved here less than 2 weeks ago, and not to minimize recent events, but after having lived in Chicago for the past 12, you kind of become numb to violence & crime. You accept it as part of life in the city. But now I'm a mother and things got too real and too close for me. I was walking our daughter home from daycare, pushing the stroller down Charles toward Centre, when suddenly there was a stream of people running east on Centre, throwing bricks and rocks into the windows of the 7-Eleven on the corner. It took a minute to realize what I was witnessing then I thought, "I need to get out of here. I need to get somewhere safe." I didn't know what to do or where to go so I raced back to daycare which is located in the basement of a church. The word sanctuary immediately came it mind. We waited there until my husband could come get us and take us home. It was scary, I was scared, but not for myself, for my 5 mo old daughter, for her well being & safety. Like I said, a year ago, I probably would have been one of the bystanders taking photos and video of the looting, but it's bigger than me now.
Location (Please be specific so we can map it): Charles & Centre
Email (Optional): elizabethajahnke@gmail.com
location: 39.296405, -76.615615
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Timestamp: 4/29/2015 12:13:34
Name (Optional): Mr. KunSun Sweeley
Tell us about your experience and how it made you feel: I'm a 29 year Korean-American resident of Baltimore City who lives in the Waverly Community of Baltimore City and I was very glad to see peaceful protests over the police-involved death of Baltimore resident Freddie Grey, however I am deeply saddened and very angered that a select few within our city decided to destroy businesses, destroy personal property and injured Baltimore City police officers. I was constantly watching WBAL, WJZ and CNN since the 2015 riots began and I feel these riots are a result of long-time ignorance by city, state and federal government of the long-standing issues Baltimore City has faced ever since the Riots of 1968 which Baltimore City still, in 2015, has not fully recovered from. I am not in any way trying to justify nor condone the violence that has taken place, however people of color here in Baltimore CIty have issues that are clearly being ignored. Racism is still an issue in Baltimore City, police brutality is clearly an issue in Baltimore City.
My parents lived in Baltimore during the 1968 riots which was a result of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr's assassination and said they saw multiple areas of the city burning, the National Guard come in and Baltimore placed under martial law. In a sense, this is sadly history repeating itself, I am very hopeful that Baltimore does NOT go under martial law with these riots and things get back to normal, the National Guard leaves, hopefully the street gang members who decided to unite to urge for peace and calmness will remain united and try to keep peace and calm. I am extremely hopeful that businesses will not leave Baltimore City as a result of this extremely unfortunate part of history of Baltimore City and businesses will work with Baltimore City to help rebuild and clean up.
Location (Please be specific so we can map it): 600 block East 34th Street, Baltimore Maryland 21218
Email (Optional): ks.sweeley@gmail.com
location: 39.3298051,-76.6082753
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Timestamp: 4/30/2015 13:35:02
Name (Optional): Towanda Capel
Tell us about your experience and how it made you feel: I'm sitting here looking at this on television and I'm not really sure how to feel, I do know that I DON'T want my only son out there & not because he would do anything wrong, but because the BALTIMORE POLICE has done so many unruly things and NOTHING was done about it, at this point I just don't trust them (AND NOT JUST THE WHITE POLICE ) the one thing I am sure about is that IT HAS TO STOP, The focus is FREDDY GRAY and all of the FREDDY GRAY'S in the past, present and future. THIS JUST HAS TO STOP !!!!!!! Anger can come out in many different way's and some people react differently then other's, I'm NOT saying that it's o.k. to destroy others property but without the proper guidance things will go VERY WRONG and it really doesn't help much that we are not allowed to correct our children without the authorities coming after the parents that care enough about our children to step in, it's almost like we are handing our children over to them so they can do it for us, and from where I'm sitting that looks GRIM. EVERYBODY KNOWS YOUR UPSET, I'M UPSET TOO, BUT JUST STOP THE CRAZINESS SO THAT WHAT NEEDS TO BE THE FOCUS, WILL BE THE FOCUS & THAT'S FREDDY GRAY. For those that are paying attention THANK YOU & For those that are not THINK ABOUT IT!!! your only hurting you and how is that helping ???????
Location (Please be specific so we can map it): Baltimore, MD
Email (Optional): ms.silver.com@email.com
location: 39.2903848,-76.6121893
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Timestamp: 4/29/2015 20:07:37
Name (Optional): Mackenzie Keefe
Tell us about your experience and how it made you feel: Yesterday 4/28 a friend and I took part in the peaceful demonstration at North & Penn around 6pm until 8:30pm. The streets were full of people gathering to communicate, there were several prayer circles to be seen. Suddenly, a drum procession began, which included dancers of all ages. The "performers" (who were of course community members using their musical talents to bring everyone together), chanted "We don't want no problems, we come in peace" and "Follow me, follow me to a place we can be free." The evening was more of a celebration than anything. Before leaving, a young boy came up to me and said "This is the real Baltimore, not the riots people are talking about. This right here." He hugged me, said he appreciated me, and we went our separate ways, though both toward a new and better Baltimore.
Location (Please be specific so we can map it): North Ave. & Pennsylvania Ave.
Email (Optional): mrkeefe@loyola.edu
location: 39.310016, -76.642475
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Timestamp: 4/29/2015 20:28:28
Name (Optional):
Tell us about your experience and how it made you feel: I am from Mississippi where racism and police brutality is an everyday thing for black Mississippians. Whenever this goes on in Mississippi, we don't destroy our own neighborhoods nor no one else's. We protest, stand still, and educate ourselves. I understand the anger and frustration with the black Baltimoreans, but I will never understand vandalizing your own neighborhoods. They mostly destroyed black own businesses. Even when the looted at mondawmin, they did not touch target, shoppers, marshals, nor Ross. I feel that they should protest in an orderly fashion and stand still. Take it from someone who had a burning cross stuck in their yard by the KKK.
Location (Please be specific so we can map it): 30 W Biddle St Baltimore, MD 21201
Email (Optional):
location: 39.3035484,-76.61710819999999
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Timestamp: 4/29/2015 20:28:32
Name (Optional):
Tell us about your experience and how it made you feel: I am from Mississippi where racism and police brutality is an everyday thing for black Mississippians. Whenever this goes on in Mississippi, we don't destroy our own neighborhoods nor no one else's. We protest, stand still, and educate ourselves. I understand the anger and frustration with the black Baltimoreans, but I will never understand vandalizing your own neighborhoods. They mostly destroyed black own businesses. Even when the looted at mondawmin, they did not touch target, shoppers, marshals, nor Ross. I feel that they should protest in an orderly fashion and stand still. Take it from someone who had a burning cross stuck in their yard by the KKK.
Location (Please be specific so we can map it): 30 W Biddle St Baltimore, MD 21201
Email (Optional):
location: 39.3035484,-76.61710819999999
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Timestamp: 4/29/2015 20:29:55
Name (Optional): John Williams
Tell us about your experience and how it made you feel: I'm a former 14-year residence Lafayette projects. I'm a retired MTA Police Officer. I believe I've seen this story from both sides.
As a resident of Lafayette projects I have experienced the frustration of complaints going unheard, of mistreatment the hands of the police,ugh not having a father figure in the house and watching my mother try to eek out a living with limited assistance.
I've tried to make sense of what I seen over these past couple of days and Baltimore City. Personal experience, my reasoning of the events may be biased.
I believe the overt actions of those protesters wreaked havoc representative of the overwhelming fear and frustration that has been building for many generations. has been instilled in us grandparents our parents. as soon as we can walk, they tell us, open quotation don't run! Don't act out! Don't make noise! Sit quietly!they tell us this and hope that we won't be looked down upon by the fairer race. initially, we don't know why we receive these instructions, but eventually when we place time and circumstance with the utterance of these instructions it becomes clearthe reason for this extreme order. After years of being taught to fear and ears of not being heard when we complaincoupled with the fairly recent treatment of those suspected of criminal activity, and in some cases those that appear to have committed no crime and old or severely injured beaten or killed, the fear returns.
The destruction of property and the assaults on police, though inexcusable, are a result of the fear. these actions say, today I will not fear you, to prove to you that I do not fear you I will attack you. I will commit atrocities that you threaten to arrest me beat me kill me for in your presence to show you that I do not fear you.
This is just my personal take on it. I don't condone violence destruction but if asked to attempt to understand what has occurred, this would represent my understanding past events.
Location (Please be specific so we can map it): Middle River
Email (Optional): chill0074@gmail.com
location: 39.3342744,-76.4394056
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Timestamp: 5/1/2015 13:19:52
Name (Optional): Sandra Liberto
Tell us about your experience and how it made you feel: If, in fact, these officers committed these crimes, I'm glad they are being charged and I hope justice is served. My biggest concern is that if this only happened as a result of the rioting, much still needs to be done. EVERY person who looted, rioted, burned down buildings, and assaulted police officers need to be brought to justice as well! In order for the BPD to be effective they need to make it clear that two wrongs don't make a right and, no matter how long it takes, every person who committed crimes that were captured on videotape need to be brought in, charged, and even if they receive no jail time, be held accountable by way of paying a fine and/or completing some type of community service that BENEFITS the community! A family has lost a son and 15 officers were injured, small business owner were victimized as well. each and EVERY VICTIM deserves JUSTICE!!
Location (Please be specific so we can map it): Waldorf, MD
Email (Optional): sappy62@yahoo.com
location: 38.6265124,-76.9105483
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Timestamp: 5/2/2015 2:33:29
Name (Optional): Brent Little
Tell us about your experience and how it made you feel: am proud of my city for fighting and pushing for justice for Freddie Gray. The protests and riots definitely pushed toward what could bea victory of equality amongst human beings. ...Black, white, rich, poor, badge or no badge. What many saw as chaos, destruction and madness, I saw as a fight and decades of numerous different things with our neighborhoods surrounding the downtown area and all other upscake areas and tourist attractions being neglected and left on the backburner. Also some junk that we do have in our police department as far as some crooked police officers and brutality. We needed to be heard with our cry out for change, equality and fair justice. I am not by any means justifying the way some things were expressed. However unfortunately for things to get better and for changes to come, things must get ugly first. Look at history. It clearly shows. War for America to gain independence as it's own free Nation. Abraham Lincoln killed for setting slaves free. JFK. .Dr. Martin Luthor King Jr. Both killed for standing for something different and bringing change. I believe the events that have occurred in this past week (good and bad) have opened up a door to what could be a better Baltimore. If you have an open mind, there' is beauty in it all. Rest in peace Freddie Gray. Fly high! Though you're gone physically, your spirit rests now and moved powerfully through this city. I would also like to thank our protesters, the rioters, our police department, our mayor, our commissioner, the national guard for everything.
Location (Please be specific so we can map it): Southwest Baltimore Maryland
Email (Optional):
location: 39.2903848,-76.6121893
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Timestamp: 5/4/2015 20:38:25
Name (Optional): Dee
Tell us about your experience and how it made you feel: I grew up in Baltimore and live local to the city, I've been harrased and beaten and jailed for no reason at all. The decision for me the move away from Baltimore city wasn't because of the pimps ,dealers,pushers ,hustlers or crime at all. It was the city police department , when I was accused for panhandling when I just came home from work and walked to the corner store for coffee for the next morning. I have so many stories of the city police and I've seen them do so much I can't even wright it all down in this forum. But that's what tax paying citizens move out of this city..Because of the police. One good incident is my brother passed away from an heroin overdose and at the time he was living with my mother who had just came home from her job. She would always call and say check on him, but this time I just got off work at 01:00 hrs and had to report back to work at 07:00hrs. So I said no o can't at this time so she begged me to because she was scared to check on him so I drove there and when I arrived there were no police there so I walked upstairs to check on him and he had already passed. At this time I noticed a full glass of water there and a full glass of iced tea that still had a little bit of ice in both cups and brother could not drink straight water so I immediately thought someone may have been there with him or still in house. At that time I was grabbed in the "L" buy someone and was literally being choked out. At that time I had flung him over my shoulder and at that time I noticed he was a police officer, I then stated I didn't know he was an officer because he did not identify him myself as one before he tried choking me to death. I said to him I'm sorry I wasn't aware you were the police and i helped him up he then proceeded to grab my Adams apple and tried to rip it out of my throat continuously. I begged and pleated with him to stop and just kept trying to beat and kill me at this time I never at no time was aggressive at all ,once I knew that he was police. When more officers arrived they all decided to beat me down for no reason at all. While in the process of beating me, an officer had lost his firearm. And he slammed my mothers door and broke it in half and my mother asked him what's wrong and the officer replied that he had lost something. And my mom asked what he lost maybe she could help him look and he replied " none of your fu****g business". Now she has a dead son upstairs and another being beat up by police. I asked the officer if he could send a commanding officer to the scene and if he thinks that I broke the law in any way, he can send me to jail and the officer said OK we are going to search you and hold me in the wagon until he gets there and he put me in wagon and they drove away immediately. I was charged with hindering a crime scene( bogus).upon my release at C.B.I.F. I was robbed at gunpoint by six armed men at the door of the jail when officers were standing right there and they did absolutely nothing about it. They replied your on your own now. And they wonder why there aren't many taxpayers left in the city. Not to mention the city concentrates on ticketing the working class neighborhoods for trash,uncut grass and parking. They don't do that on North Ave. Do you know why?
Location (Please be specific so we can map it): Baltimore, MD.
Email (Optional): deenice18757@gmail.com
location: 39.2903848,-76.6121893
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Timestamp: 5/5/2015 13:14:39
Name (Optional):
Tell us about your experience and how it made you feel: I was honestly disgusted by the actions of the people in the riots. They felt justified in looting and/or burning down people's businesses , assaulting random people and wreaking havoc on our City. I am also sick and tired of being told that if I don't see the justification for "Black America" to behave in that manner, then I don't understand the problems. I do understand. I do feel for the people who work hard on a daily basis to provide for their families. I feel bad for the victims of senseless violence. I do not understand burning down the foundation for s community center that they all say they need. I do not understand burning down the only place to get your medications. I don't understand the people feeling justified in burning down the only place to cash their checks because " they overcharged us and they needed to go." I don't understand lighting trash cans on fire and hurling them at the police The Mayor allowed them to pillage their community while we all watched in disbelief. In what community is this condoned??? There are consequences for our behaviors-good and bad. Who will ultimately be held responsible for the rebuild in the City -taxpayers and business owners. SRB sure isn't. She isn't going to even pay our law enforcement or firefighters hazard pay for their service. Those who looted, assaulted, committed arson and caused general unrest will not be held accountable. Hell, the majority of these criminals and , dare I say , Thugs, will be let go with no consequences whatsoever because our local government wants them to know that they "feel their pain."
Location (Please be specific so we can map it): Jarrettsville, MD
Email (Optional):
location: 39.60455,-76.4777422
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Timestamp: 5/5/2015 21:49:42
Name (Optional): Neil
Tell us about your experience and how it made you feel: I was ashamed at the coverage by the SunPapers and local TV stations. Just as Mayor Rawlings Blake was slow off the mark, the local media was not informing us in real time. Early on I had to turn to CNN.
While the SunPapers had done a great job with a long term investigation into the Baltimore City Police they failed miserably to report in Real Time. Growing up the Evening Sun had articles that were timely, the morning Sun had the other articles.
Todays BaltimoreSun had stories that were clunking along some some days and none others.
Local TV was no better early on, game shows and TV was still normal. CNN had the coverage.
Late in the story Local TV became better and CNN pushed to cause trouble.
Gone are the days when reporters reported. Each outlet had an agenda, and the people suffered.
I am glad the Police were taken to task, they failed in their duty to protect Baltimore before Freddie Gray died in their possession. Someone said it best - If I were driving a dead man around, or a dying man around and the police stopped me, I believe that I would have been arrested long before they (the police) were arrested.
That said - I would never drive a dying man around in circles, nor would I drive a dead man around. For that the Police will have to answer - hopefully truthfully.
Location (Please be specific so we can map it): Baltimore, MD
Email (Optional): neil@mcaslan.net
location: 39.2903848,-76.6121893
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Timestamp: 11/13/2015 21:39:29
Name (Optional): seo
Tell us about your experience and how it made you feel: Seo Plugin" target="_blank">Hello Web Admin, I noticed that your On-Page SEO is is missing a few factors, for one you do not use all three H tags in your post, also I notice that you are not using bold or italics properly in your SEO optimization. On-Page SEO means more now than ever since the new Google update: Panda. No longer are backlinks and simply pinging or sending out a RSS feed the key to getting Google PageRank or Alexa Rankings, You now NEED On-Page SEO. So what is good On-Page SEO?First your keyword must appear in the title.Then it must appear in the URL.You have to optimize your keyword and make sure that it has a nice keyword density of 3-5% in your article with relevant LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing). Then you should spread all H1,H2,H3 tags in your article.Your Keyword should appear in your first paragraph and in the last sentence of the page. You should have relevant usage of Bold and italics of your keyword.There should be one internal link to a page on your blog and you should have one image with an alt tag that has your keyword....wait there's even more Now what if i told you there was a simple Wordpress plugin that does all the On-Page SEO, and automatically for you? That's right AUTOMATICALLY, just watch this 4minute video for more information at. Seo Plugin
Location (Please be specific so we can map it): http://www.SeoOptimizedRankings.com/
Email (Optional): nujejkz@gmail.com
location: 0,0
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