Carmelo Anthony Marches with Baltimore Protesters

On Thursday afternoon, New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony, 30, who hails from Baltimore, walked with protesters as they marched to City Hall.

Speaking with FOX 5’s Marina Marraco as they walked, Anthony said, “It definitely was disturbing, but I understand it. Our community is fed up. But we got to be smart about it. If we want something, we got to speak up. I think that the biggest problem in our community is our youth is not being heard. They feel like they don’t have a voice.”

He added, “I want to create a platform that gets them talking and get people to hear what they have to say. That’s the biggest disconnect right now. We got to be patient with that.… Kind of start believing in our system. I know it’s hard to say that right now … but we have to all band together and try to start rebuilding this city.”

Anthony had posted a lengthy message on Instagram after the riots had started in the city following the funeral for Freddie Gray on Monday, stating:

We all want Justice. And our city will get the answers we are looking for. My deepest sympathy goes out to the GRAY Family. To see my city in a State of Emergency is just shocking. We need to protect our city, not destroy it. What happens when we get the answers that we want, and the media attention is not there anymore? We go back to being the same ol Baltimore City again. If not yourself, then Think about the youth. How this will impact them. Let’s build our city up not tear it down. Although, we want justice, let’s look at the real issues at hand. For example, When was the last school built in Baltimore? That’s just one example. I know my community is fed up. I’m all about fighting for what we believe in. The anger, the resentment, the neglect that our community feels right now, will not change over night. Continue, fighting for what you believe in. But remember, it takes no time to destroy something. But, it can take forever to build it back up. Peace7. #Thisonehitshome #BeMore #LetsNotFallForTheTrap “Please Understand What State Of Emergency Mean”(Destroy and Conquer)
#StayMe7o

Anthony’s childhood could have led him down the wrong road if not for his mother, who raised her four children  after her husband died of liver failure when Anthony, the youngest, was two years old. The drug-infested area they lived in was known as the Pharmacy in Baltimore, but his mother Mary was a tough-minded woman who urged her children to stay the course. Anthony later played basketball at Towson Catholic High School for three years. Unlike other players, Anthony did not opt for turning pro, but instead attended Syracuse University, where he led the Orangemen to their first national championship in 2003, as they upset favored University of Kentucky 81-78.

In 2005, Anthony was denounced by members of Congress for making a cameo in an underground video titled “Stop Snitching,” standing next to a man who threatens that tipsters to Baltimore police about drug deals would “get a hole in their head.” The DVD showed men speaking of retaliation against suspected police informants.

Anthony, who said he had no idea of the video’s message, told the Washington Post, “I’m completely against violence and drugs — that’s not me. I just want to get the word out. I’ve lost friends to violence. I would never support anybody harming anyone . . . I just want to help.”