**LIVE UPDATES** Baltimore Officers Injured After High Schoolers Call for ‘Purge’

AP Photo/Matt Rourke
AP Photo/Matt Rourke

UPDATE 2:49 AM: Rate of arson has eclipsed the fire department’s ability to control each blaze.

UPDATE 2:07 AM: Cutting of fire hoses still a concern.

UPDATE 2:05 AM: Fires and lootings continue to pop up through the night.

UPDATE 12:32 AM: More fires.

UPDATE 12:12 AM: Compare and contrast: a representative from Obama’s “My Brother’s Keeper” program attended Gray’s funeral today. To this day, President Obama has not once publicly acknowledged the death of Navy SEAL Chris Kyle.

UPDATE 12:10 AM: Devastation.

https://twitter.com/MolaReports/status/592901649582141440

UPDATE 11:49 PM: As police brief the press, the streets are still in chaos:

UPDATE 11:41 PM: Police Commissioner press conference giving update from law enforcement:

UPDATE 11:38 PM: Out: “riots.” In: “uprising.”

UPDATE 11:22 PM: While Gray’s family gave statements condemning violence, the attorney representing them and Freddie, Billy Murphy, whips up hatred against Baltimore Police. Paints entire department as violent and brutal, then claims police faked gang threats to “divide” the city.

UPDATE 11:14 PM: Mayor Rawlings-Blake gives a new statement. Local pastors and gang members are present at a church where Eddie Gray’s family spoke out against the riots.

UPDATE 11:11 PM: Parenting.

UPDATE: 11:05 PM: Baltimore public school teacher blames police for first rounds of the riot, saying “I’d be ready to pop off, too,” because police were responding to the “purge” messages by gearing up and interrogating groups of students.

UPDATE: 10:55 PM: Police re-deploying, National Guard moving in from another town.

UPDATE: 10:46 PM: Fires are popping up as quickly as they’re put out, and looting of local stores continues:

UPDATE: 10:32 PM: At least 15 officers are now reportedly injured–and two are still in the hospital. CNN quotes Lt. Col. Darryl De Sousa, chief of patrol for the Baltimore Police, to say this is “unacceptable.”

UPDATE: 10:28 PM: Loretta Lynch’s first official act as Attorney General will be sending DOJ officials to Baltimore.

Vanita Gupta, who head’s the Civil Rights Division, and Director of Community Oriented Policing Services Ronald Davis “will be traveling to Baltimore to meet with faith and community leaders, as well as city officials,” Lynch said in a statement.

“I condemn the senseless acts of violence by some individuals in Baltimore that have resulted in harm to law enforcement officers, destruction of property and a shattering of the peace in the city of Baltimore,” Lynch said. “Those who commit violent actions, ostensibly in protest of the death of Freddie Gray, do a disservice to his family, to his loved ones, and to legitimate peaceful protestors who are working to improve their community for all its residents.”

UPDATE: 10:26 PM: Another journalist attacked.

UPDATE: 10:04 PM: Wire services have published a slew of photos depicting the violence and looting gripping Baltimore.

AP Photo

AP Photo

UPDATE: 9:57 PM: A pastor expressed anger and sorrow that rioters destroyed a housing structure meant to provide inexpensive, affordable housing for elderly Baltimore residents. Rioters reportedly injured five journalists.

UPDATE: 9:53 PM: Republican Gov. Larry Hogan sharply criticized the mayor of Baltimore for refusing to contact him while riots raged. Watch his full statement:

“We declared the state of emergency and I issued the executive order less than 30 seconds after requested by the City of Baltimore. So, it didn’t take us very long at all. I — signed an executive order almost immediately as soon as we received the call and then called the president, there was no delay whatsoever. We’ve had this emergency operation center activated since Saturday. We’ve had hundreds of state police on the ground. We’ve had every single state agency and local agency coordinated out of this operation already for the entire week. I’ve been in daily communication with the mayor, and others in the city, and our entire team has been involved from day one. But frankly, this is a Baltimore city situation. Baltimore city was in charge. When the mayor called me, which quite frankly, we were glad that she finally did, instantly we signed the executive order. We already had our entire team prepared, and in fact I already called General Singh earlier in the day and asked her to get prepared to be called up. We were all in a command center in the second floor of the State House in constant communication and we were trying to get in touch with the mayor for quite some time. She finally made that call, and we immediately took action.”

UPDATE: 9:44 PM: Rioters shut down Baltimore’s public schools for Tuesday. Reminder: It was high schoolers passing around flyers calling to anarchy and “The Purge” who began to attack cops with bricks.

UPDATE: 9:09 PM: Gov. Larry Hogan condemned rioters in a powerful press conference appearance, implicitly criticizing the current mayor for failing to contain the wild violence. President Obama asked him to go easy on the violent rioters who set fire to police cars and wrecked local businesses.

UPDATE: 8:52 PM: Former Baltimore mayor Martin O’Malley and possible 2016 Democratic challenger ended a European trip, where he was scheduled to give paid speeches, to fly back to Baltimore.

Meanwhile, presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton tweeted out cliche campaign stickers as riots raged.

UPDATE: 8:43 PM: The Associated Press reports that 15 officers have been injured by the brick-throwing, arson-committing, fire hose-cutting, liquor store looters who are still rampaging through Baltimore.

UPDATE: 8:27 PM: Memos obtained by the Washington Times show that a widely-circulated text reading, “Kill all white police officers!! As many as you can!! Bunch of thugs with badges!!” has alarmed law enforcement:

Law enforcement intelligence officials have put out a warning that someone has sent a text calling on people to kill “all white police officers” in reaction to the death of Freddie Gray while in Baltimore police custody, raising fears violence could spread nationally, according to safety memos obtained by The Washington Times.

Officers are being warned of possible ambushes and urged to change travel patterns and to tone down clothes or emblems that identify them as police.

The Baltimore police department separately put out a press release on Monday saying various gangs, including the Black Guerilla Family, Bloods and Crips “haver entered into a partnership to ‘take out’ law enforcement.”

The Black Guerilla Family allegedly had ties to Ismaaiyl Brinsley, who shot two NYPD cops execution-style in Brooklyn in December, although federal agents denied connections between the two. The gang told members to target white cops to “send a message.”

UPDATE: 8:06 PM: Mayor Rawlings-Blake announced a city-wide, week-long curfew following a day of mayhem and destruction wreaked by rioters.

UPDATE: 7:42 PM: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei tweeted his support for a mob that burned down a CVS and looted a liquor store to double-fist champagne while yelling, “No justice, no peace!” Khamenei happily expressed sympathy on for rioters went on to tear their way through a major American city. Americans selfishly abolished slavery for economic gains, he said. If only the Baltimore police had converted to Islam, they would stop committing “crimes against blacks.”

UPDATE: 7:26 PM: President Obama promises to “assist” Baltimore as needed, according to CBS Baltimore:

BALTIMORE (CBS Baltimore) — President Barack Obama spoke with both Attorney General Loretta Lynch and Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake Monday regarding the ongoing Baltimore protests surrounding the death of Freddie Gray.

Following her swearing in Monday afternoon, Lynch updated Obama on the protests and death of Gray, which is currently being investigated by the Department of Justice.

Rawlings-Blake updated the president on the ongoing looting, violence, and efforts to maintain peace throughout the city. Obama highlighted his commitment to assisting the situation as he continues to receive updates from Lynch and White House Senior Adviser Valerie Jarrett.

UPDATE: 7:21 PM: Rival street gangs who promised to unite in order to kill police officers are using their coordination skills to guide media past violent rioters.

UPDATE: 7:07 PM: Gov. Larry Hogan issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency and ordered the National Guard to Baltimore:

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Larry Hogan today, at the request of Baltimore City, has signed an Executive Order declaring a state of emergency and activating the National Guard to address the growing violence and unrest in Baltimore City.
The governor, along with Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford and National Guard Adjutant General Linda Singh, will hold a press conference at the Maryland Emergency Management Agency this evening at 8:30 PM.

UPDATE: 7:01 PM: Rioters are reportedly cutting fire hoses to stop firemen from putting out the CVS they set ablaze.

UPDATE: 6:55 PM: It looks like the National Guard is en route to Baltimore.

UPDATE: 6:49 PM: In a mostly-empty street, one man leapt on top of a van to dance to “Beat It.”

UPDATE: 6:42 PM: CNN contributor Sally Kohn says that while looting is bad, police arresting suspects is worse, which she calls a “pattern of police violence.”

UPDATE: 6:34 PM: In another act of destruction, rioters have set a CVS store ablaze — one right next to senior citizen housing.

UPDATE: 6:28 PM: Rioters have come across a liquor store and ransacked it. Some are chugging expensive alcohol to celebrate social justice, while others look approvingly at destroyed cars.

UPDATE: 6:27 PM: Republican Gov. Larry Hogan vows to prosecute rioters, and has put the National Guard on alert.

His full statement reads:

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Larry Hogan is closely monitoring the situation in Baltimore City and has been in contact with Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake office to provide the city with whatever resources are required. The Maryland State Police have been dispatched in a supporting role on the ground, as well as other resources and equipment from various state agencies.

“Today’s looting and acts of violence in Baltimore will not be tolerated. In response, I have put the Maryland National Guard on alert so they can be in position to deploy rapidly as needed. I strongly condemn the actions of the offenders who are engaged in direct attacks against innocent civilians, businesses and law enforcement officers. There is a significant difference between protesting and violence and those committing these acts will be prosecuted under the fullest extent of the law.

“My thoughts and prayers go out to the men and women in uniform who are actively working to stem this violence and several who been injured in the line of duty. These malicious attacks against law enforcement and local communities only betray the cause of peaceful citizens seeking answers and justice following the death of Freddie Gray.”

UPDATE: 6:24 PM: The Baltimore Orioles announced Monday evening that the riots forced them to postpone their game.

UPDATE: 6:10 PM: Torrey Smith, a wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers, harshly criticized the teenage looters and rioters, condemning the violence they inflicted on the city.

https://twitter.com/TorreySmithWR/status/592797690074894336

https://twitter.com/TorreySmithWR/status/592797204986863618

https://twitter.com/TorreySmithWR/status/592793937389232128

https://twitter.com/TorreySmithWR/status/592204986722824193

https://twitter.com/TorreySmithWR/status/592183333293023232

UPDATE: 5:59 PM: Maryland State Police are sending reinforcements to Baltimore. Meanwhile, looters are ripping apart a cash-checking service.

UPDATE: 5:48 PM: The rioters have left enormous destruction in their wake, and some are posing in front of burning cars for pictures to send to friends.

AP Photo/Patrick Semansky

AP Photo/Patrick Semansky

UPDATE: 5:43 PM: Riots and violent “flash mobs” are typically organized by black teenagers on social media and via texts. Low phone batteries appear to have discouraged the rioters.

UPDATE: 5:38 PM: President Obama and Attorney General Loretta Lynch have convened a meeting in the White House. Major Garrett of FOX News reports that all media are barred from the meeting — except for still photographers.

UPDATE: 5:35 PM: Under intense outrage and scrutiny, Mayor Rawlings-Blake backtracked from her initial comments of  “we gave those who wished to destroy space to do that, as well” after riots broke out Saturday night. Here’s the full letter: 

BALTIMORE, Md. (April 27, 2015)—Today, Howard Libit, Director of Strategic Planning and Policy, issued the following statement regarding Mayor Rawlings-Blake’s comments on the rights of protesters:

“What she is saying within this statement was that there was an effort to give the peaceful demonstrators room to conduct their peaceful protests on Saturday. Unfortunately, as a result of providing the peaceful demonstrators with the space to share their message, that also meant that those seeking to incite violence also had the space to operate. The police sought to balance the rights of the peaceful demonstrators against the need to step in against those who were seeking to create violence.

The mayor is not saying that she asked police to give space to people who sought to create violence. Any suggestion otherwise would be a misinterpretation of her statement.”

This clarification is regarding comments made by Mayor Rawlings-Blake during a recent press conference. The mayor’s original quote follows (emphasis and clarification added):

“I’ve made it very clear that I work with the police and instructed them to do everything that they could to make sure that the protesters were able to exercise their right to free speech. It’s a very delicate balancing act, because, while we tried to make sure that they were protected from the cars and the other things that were going on, we also [as a result] gave those who wished to destroy space to do that as well. And we worked very hard to keep that balance and to put ourselves in the best position to deescalate, and that’s what you saw.”

UPDATE: 5:31 PM: Police are begging parents of the high schools calling for anarchy, looting businesses and assaulting police officers to take them home and off the streets.

UPDATE: 5:27 PM: A CNN journalist was injured and taken to a hospital.

UPDATE: 5:15 PM: The Rev. Al Sharpton plans to visit Baltimore on Monday to “push for answers” in the death of Freddie Gray. Sharpton also plans to organize a two-day march from Baltimore to Washington, D.C. From The Baltimore Sun:

Sharpton said the march from Baltimore to Washington is designed to call attention to Gray — as well as others before him, including Walter Scott, who was shot by a police officer in North Charleston, S.C. — to Loretta Lynch, the incoming U.S. attorney general.

“Ms. Lynch, in her new role that we all supported, must look and intervene in these cases,” Sharpton said. “Justice delayed is justice denied.”

UPDATE: 5:08 PM: Baltimore Police Capt. Eric Kowalczyk vowed to investigate the “lawless individuals” who are rampaging through Baltimore and attacking police officers.

“Right now our focus is making sure that the people [who] live in that community are safe and that our officers are safe. You’re going to see tear gas, you’re going to see pepper balls,” Kowalczyk said. “We’re going to use appropriate methods to ensure that we’re able to preserve the safety of that community.”

UPDATE: 5:04 PM: Police has sustained broken bones after black Baltimore high schoolers calling for “The Purge” struck them with heavy bricks, rocks, and pipes. One officer is unconscious, non-responsive. The city’s transportation has been crippled by the raging violence and residents are urged by city officials to avoid several, out-of-control areas.

UPDATE: 4:57 PM: Rioters have set a police car ablaze. Another common feature of riots, looting, has begun. But Democratic Rep. Elijah Cummings maintains that the riots are “peaceful.”

UPDATE: 4:48 PM: Rioters are throwing pipes, chucks of concrete at police, and setting things on fire, according to a CNN reporter.

 

UPDATE: 4:44 PM: Seven police officers have suffered injuries, according to reports.

UPDATE: 4:37 PM: Baltimore Police Capt. Eric Kowalczyk informed reporters that criminals responsible for damages and assault will be put in jail.

UPDATE: 4:34 PM: The rioters continue to tear apart everything in their path, including a photographer and now a police car.

 

UPDATE: 4:30 PM: The niece of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. blasted Mayor Rawlings-Blake for “inviting violence” into Baltimore in a letter obtained by Breitbart News.

Your invitation to “give space for those who want to destroy” is unbelievable. This interpretation of rights to free speech is dangerous Ma’am.

In 1963, my father Rev. AD King, after the firebombing of our home in Birmingham, Alabama, urged hostile protestors to abandon violence and turn to God in prayer instead. Thank God they listened to him, and the even greater voice of his brother, my Uncle MLK, during those turbulent days.

Now, you are inviting violence to your city? Who, Ma’am, will incur the moral and economic costs of picking up the pieces? The innocent taxpayers?

We at www.restorethedream2015.com are very concerned. Ma’am, people are not entitled to pillage and destroy. That is just plain wrong. Our affiliates on the ground in Baltimore are willing to help quell the violent tide. And make no mistake about it; something must be done to save our cities.

How did we get here? Where do we go now? Think about this: Baltimore 1965 vs. Baltimore 2015, compare and contrast:

1.      Money spent on public schools then vs. now.

2.      Amount spent on social welfare payments then vs. now.

3.      The size of Government Bureaucracy then vs. now.

4.      The number of black elected officials then vs. now.

5.      Number of black children born in Baltimore to an intact nuclear family.

6.      Number of Black lives MIA by abortion and incarceration.

If you look at all six questions/comparisons what you will see is the only statistics to have decreased (1965 to 2015) is the number of black children born in intact nuclear families.

Something is wrong. We must stop the killing and advance the healing now!

Several Baltimore police officers sustained injuries after black rioters, angry at the death of long-time drug dealer Freddie Gray, hurled bricks and other objects at them Monday afternoon.

The Mondawmin Mall and the University of Maryland closed down after fliers calling for “The Purge” circulated — while Baltimore high school students often circulate leaflets calling for the total suspension of law as a part of  a gang initiation, businesses frightened by the latest plea for violent mayhem shut down hours ahead of the 3 p.m. riot.

The University of Maryland, Baltimore, posted a warning on its site, according to the Baltimore Sun:

“Due to reports from the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) concerning scheduled activities today beginning at 3 p.m., UMB will close today at 2 p.m. at the recommendation of the BPD. These activities may be potentially violent and UMB could be in the path of any violence. The safety of our students and employees is of paramount importance please vacate the campus as soon as possible.”

Several cops were injured by juvenile and adult rioters who hurled bricks at them.

 

 

During a Saturday briefing, Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake told the city her government allowed black rioters to smash police cars and terrorize residents.

“While we tried to make sure they were protected from the cars and the other things that were going on, we gave those who wished to destroy space to do that, as well,” she said.

Developing…

Email Katie at kmchugh@breitbart.com. Follow her on Twitter: @k_mcq

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