It all started on April 12, 2015 when Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old man who was a resident of Baltimore sustained injuries following an arrest by an officer of the Baltimore Police Department. He was put in a coma and after that the residents of Baltimore protested in front of the police station. Freddie Gray died seven days after being arrested due to the injures that the six police officers gave him.
The six officers where charged with second degree murder and more charges. A week after his death protests continued, causing 20 police officers injured. At least 250 people were arrested. A lot of Maryland Army National Guard troops were deployed. Police officers were told to ride in cars together because gang members were getting together and trying to kill officers.
Firefighters were called also because people were burning down stores and other types of buildings. Stores were also being looted, and helicopters had live footage of stores being looted. People were going in stores in groups of 50-100 people, breaking in and taking things without getting stopped.
President Obama spoke about the situation, saying there’s no reason for violent protests.
The Baltimore Orioles even played a game in an empty stadium in order to maintain public safety. It was the first time in history when a game’s attendance was officially zero. Some other actions taken included the government changing the curfew to 10 p.m.