Minutes after a judge declared a mistrial in the case of Officer William Porter, the Baltimore Police Department has started to crack down on protesters. Porter was one of six officers involved in the death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray, and the first to stand trial. In May he was charged with involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment, and assault in the second degree. But after three days of deliberations, the trial ended with a hung jury.
Shortly after the mistrial was announced, officers arrested prominent Baltimore activist Kwame Rose, for using a bullhorn. They have also begun harassing reporters who are covering the demonstrations.
“Sheriff’s dept comes over, tells me & Sun photog if we shoot pictures of court we’ll be in contempt of court order by admin judge,” Baltimore Sun reporter Ken Rector tweeted. “We said it’s a public street. Deputy says, and I quote, that the judge’s order has now made it a ‘privately public’ area.” The Sun’s intelligence and military reporter, Ian Duncan, also tweeted that well-known activist Kwame Rose has already been taken into custody.
Here’s a snapshot of what’s happening on the ground:
They just arrested @kwamerose FOR NOTHING. Just grabbed him. This is not a joke. #ThisIsWhyUprising #Baltimore pic.twitter.com/cnkMIMjzt9
— Megan Kenny (@expandyourfocus) December 16, 2015
https://twitter.com/ChuckModi1/status/677237713062502401
PHOTOS: Baltimore reacts to hung jury, mistrial in Officer William Porter case https://t.co/QbLBewyNmq pic.twitter.com/cKDmEQL9nN
— ABC 7 News – WJLA (@ABC7News) December 16, 2015
https://twitter.com/ChuckModi1/status/677229758208466948
— Justin Fenton (@justin_fenton) December 16, 2015
"All day, all day, we want justice for Freddie Gray." Protesters on the move pic.twitter.com/T3kCF7EJYx
— Sarah Meehan (@sarahvmeehan) December 16, 2015
@BaltimorePolice copter hovers over Baltimore District Courthouse. Protesters outside. #PorterTrial #FreddieGray pic.twitter.com/Fudlp3VOAf
— Sarah Jacobs (@Sarah_M_Jacobs) December 16, 2015