A state of emergency has been declared in the US city of Baltimore as violent riots broke out after the funeral of Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old black man who died after his spinal cord was severed while in police custody.
Two weeks after his death, tensions between Baltimore police and the city’s population have reached boiling point and after a day of peaceful protests, violent riots and fires have broken out across the city with the mayor calling in the US national guard for assistance and implementing a curfew after 10pm for residents.
Many musicians have taken to social media to comment on the situation in Baltimore, similar to other riots that occurred across the US recently following accusations of police brutality against black citizens, most notably a grand jury’s decision not to pursue charges against police officer Darren Wilson who shot and killed 18-year-old unarmed black teenager Mike Brown.
Some have even likened Monday’s riots to those witnessed after the 1968 assassination of civil rights leader Dr Martin Luther King, who was killed in Memphis, Tennessee.
“Don’t you understand? We’re tired of being murdered in the street like dogs. How many times can you be shot at before you shoot back?” wrote Vic Mensa in response to the riots. “Maybe the aggression is misdirected. But you can’t say it’s unwarranted.”
Baltimore natives Future Islands wrote that “Police sparked this situation”, telling followers, “We must educate ourselves to find truth. Be strong and be safe. They will lie to you. From oppression comes revolution comes evolution.”
As an outspoken authority on race relations, rapper Killer Mike also commented on the riots, telling followers, “Repression breeds rebellion. U wanna stop riots? Stop poverty. Stop systemic racism. Stop Police Murder. Stop the war on Black men! This what is causing riots! Built up anger and rage!”
“Dr King called riots the language of they oppressed. Wanna stop them, u focus on oppression, not the rioters,” echoed Talib Kweli, while Freddie Gibbs implored Baltimore residents to act peacefully. “We don’t need an excuse for them to kill another one of us,” he said.
Singer Kelly Rowland simply shared a message saying she is “Praying for Baltimore”, posted alongside an image of an unarmed black man on his knees with his hands held over his head.
See reactions from other members of the music community below.
https://twitter.com/VicMensa/status/592844753043124224
https://twitter.com/VicMensa/status/592869268246659072
https://twitter.com/VicMensa/status/592869579367546880
https://twitter.com/VicMensa/status/592872138941542400
https://twitter.com/VicMensa/status/592873563872452608
We must educate ourselves to find truth. Be strong and be safe. They will lie to you. From oppression comes revolution comes evolution. -s
— Future Islands (@futureislands) April 27, 2015
Schoolbooks vs armored trucks. Baltimore: unfair advantage. Don't walk the playground picking fights.
— Future Islands (@futureislands) April 27, 2015
Police sparked this situation, and not holding themselves accountable, escalated it. More police is not the answer. Who's outnumbered?
— Future Islands (@futureislands) April 28, 2015
@Sjasincolmus when the law decides. because they always do. looters have no power, just like the innocents killed without remorse.
— Future Islands (@futureislands) April 28, 2015
@Sjasincolmus well the city has already responded saying they'll bring them to justice from video evidence. yet the whole reason this shit
— Future Islands (@futureislands) April 28, 2015
@Sjasincolmus is happening is because video evidence isn't enough to convict police in this country. they get off free. they have the power.
— Future Islands (@futureislands) April 28, 2015
https://instagram.com/p/1_afNIy1AZ/
https://instagram.com/p/1_-ScRS1Nk/
https://instagram.com/p/2AK2x5S1GB/
https://instagram.com/p/2AK2VtBmHI/
Baltimore I respect it, 100%. Just do it peacefully, we don't need an excuse for them to kill another one of us. #FreddyGray
— Big ? (@FreddieGibbs) April 27, 2015
To everyone who's been affected by the loss of Freddy Gray and all the senseless murders of our black men. I pray restoration over you all.
— Anthony Hamilton Official (@HamiltonAnthony) April 28, 2015
We can't let anger take all our growth as a people and community blind us from thinking through the pain. Let's not hurt anymore innocent.
— Anthony Hamilton Official (@HamiltonAnthony) April 28, 2015
I'm angered about how the government and corrupt people in power have done us for years. I get tired of seeing it go unjust. Let's Pray Loud
— Anthony Hamilton Official (@HamiltonAnthony) April 28, 2015
To All the Leaders and people sitting in high places. Judges,politicians police chiefs. You keep saying "Black Don't Matter" it Hurts!
— Anthony Hamilton Official (@HamiltonAnthony) April 28, 2015
My People I know you're tired But we Must Rebuild Our Fight With Integrity Unity and Leadership. Wisdom Will Long Outlive Hate!
— Anthony Hamilton Official (@HamiltonAnthony) April 28, 2015
Praying for Baltimore. #PrayForPeace #DC http://t.co/raOdytl4u5 pic.twitter.com/nHEEvOF3av
— KELENDRIA ROWLAND (@KELLYROWLAND) April 28, 2015
https://twitter.com/Raury/status/592881183056330752
https://twitter.com/Raury/status/592886507368783872
if you enslave a population first thru labor then systematic racism/prison system, then u gun them down like dogs ur going to have rebellion
— FLOSSTRADAMUS (⚠,⚠) (@FLOSSTRADAMUS) April 28, 2015
feels like we're on track for another civil war. mandatory curfews and highly militarized police are just a taste of what we're up against
— FLOSSTRADAMUS (⚠,⚠) (@FLOSSTRADAMUS) April 28, 2015
equality is essential in any society/race. until everyone is treated as equals, we're going to continue down this dark and dangerous path.
— FLOSSTRADAMUS (⚠,⚠) (@FLOSSTRADAMUS) April 28, 2015
https://twitter.com/TalibKweli/status/592311490733936640
https://twitter.com/TalibKweli/status/592725284622831617
https://twitter.com/TalibKweli/status/592846994474967041
https://twitter.com/TalibKweli/status/592854702905270273
Clownbelly horseshit that the murderous Balt P.D.who gave killer cops paid vacation is telling protestors to "remain peaceful" #FreddieGray
— Tom Morello (@tmorello) April 26, 2015
Nobody wins in Baltimore tonight. My heart is broken watching the news in Singapore right now. #prayersforbaltimore
— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) April 28, 2015
https://twitter.com/flea333/status/592887824464117762
https://twitter.com/flea333/status/592900256821616640
https://twitter.com/devhynes/status/592809904206917632
https://twitter.com/devhynes/status/592809983441506305
