On April 12, 25-year-old Freddie Gray died of a spinal-cord injury while in the custody of Baltimore police. Now, more than two weeks later, as more details emerge about that day, the long-simmering tension between police and residents in the Maryland city has boiled over into violent riots and looting on Monday (April 27) — so much so that the National Guard has been called in to help. It should also be noted that Monday’s violence was preceded by days of protests that remained peaceful.
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Musicians from Rihanna and Kelly Rowland to Big Boi and Charlie Daniels have taken to social media to address the protests — whether imploring people to keep the peace or cheering on the activism.
David Simon — who created the Baltimore-set HBO series The Wire — took to his blog Monday to call for an end to riots and looting in the city. Many of the stars of his show also reacted with these tweets:
Baltimore I respect it, 100%. Just do it peacefully, we don’t need an excuse for them to kill another one of us. #FreddyGray
— Freddie Gibbs (@FreddieGibbs) April 27, 2015
Praying for Baltimore. #PrayForPeace #DC http://t.co/raOdytl4u5 pic.twitter.com/nHEEvOF3av
— KELENDRIA ROWLAND (@KELLYROWLAND) April 28, 2015
HBO pimped that 1-sided view of BMORE in THE WIRE. Show & spread it across the USA , and 15 years later ((((BOOM))))
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) April 27, 2015
Damn. Baltimore is getting outta control. I understand protests. I don’t understand looting CVS. That’s not honoring Freddie Grey.
— Bun B (@BunBTrillOG) April 27, 2015
I’m just catching up to the news coming out of Baltimore…this is bad. Sending my prayers to everyone in that beautiful city.
— Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) April 27, 2015
Baltimore doing what they suppose 2 be doing
— YG (@YG) April 27, 2015
Hate to see Baltimore going thru what my hometown of Ferguson went thru. Change is necessary, but violence and destruction is not the answer
— CedricTheEntertainer (@CedEntertainer) April 27, 2015
Baltimore needs prayer tonight America.
— Charlie Daniels (@CharlieDaniels) April 27, 2015
Notice how the thousands of Baltimore peaceful protesters were virtually ignored but the rioters get all the media love. Stay tuned.
— Malcolm-Jamal Warner (@MalcolmJamalWar) April 27, 2015
Please pray for My city Please#rp https://t.co/9kH678LxH3
— Snoop Pearson (@BmoreSnoop) April 27, 2015
Baltimore. These are not protestors. These are criminals disrespectful of the wishes of the family and people of good will.
— Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) April 27, 2015
I’m watching the Fruit of Islam, men of the Nation of Islam attempting to stop the violence and working with the police to restore calm
— Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) April 27, 2015
To my Beloved city Baltimore..I feel your pain. Stand up..rise UP without breaking down! Discipline not Destruction. #VictorynotVictims
— Andre Royo (@AndreRoyo) April 27, 2015