SRL Archive - World News

Riots going down in Baltimore, Maryland

Live police radio: http://www.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/3918

Info on the riot: http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/police-seven-officers-injured-one-unresponsive-in-baltimore-riot/ar-BBiK3jU

It's gonna be a long night..

It's never ending…

Anarchy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I feel sympathy for those who actually care about the original protests' message, having it reduced to nothing because criminals decide to exploit the situation by destroying, attacking, and looting.

Maybe there's a bit of both, but looting and destroying is so pathetic to me. Then there's the people who just like to get into the violence and cause disruption.

From: Clarity
I feel sympathy for those who actually care about the original protests' message, having it reduced to nothing because criminals decide to exploit the situation by destroying, attacking, and looting.

Maybe there's a bit of both, but looting and destroying is so pathetic to me. Then there's the people who just like to get into the violence and cause disruption.

And it's probably done by a lot people who don't even live in the city like in Ferguson..

Ah, and now there's news of gangs and terrorist groups setting aside their differences and working together to kill all the cops. While I typically approve of collaboration and setting aside differences, I think this might be cause for intervention by legitimate military (not the kind where cops think they're military).

From: Kevin
Ah, and now there's news of gangs and terrorist groups setting aside their differences and working together to kill all the cops. While I typically approve of collaboration and setting aside differences, I think this might be cause for intervention by legitimate military (not the kind where cops think they're military).

afaik 1,500 national guard members were deployed last night

From: rj
afaik 1,500 national guard members were deployed last night

I just read an article saying they had 5,000 troops available so maybe they've upgraded already.

From: Clarity


Maybe there's a bit of both, but looting and destroying is so pathetic to me. Then there's the people who just like to get into the violence and cause disruption.

This.

[video=youtube;l42EeAXOh5U]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l42EeAXOh5U[/video]

this guy is the true hero of baltimore

From: grats
[video=youtube;l42EeAXOh5U]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l42EeAXOh5U[/video]

this guy is the true hero of baltimore

The hero they need, but not the hero they deserve.
The Dark Man Rises. Coming to a Baltimore near you.

From: grats
[video=youtube;l42EeAXOh5U]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l42EeAXOh5U[/video]

this guy is the true hero of baltimore

Skills! Cool ninja dance.
[video=YOUTUBE;iFoKGo0LwlM]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFoKGo0LwlM[/video]

It's a pity that people engage in such violent behavior. However, for most of them this is the only way they know how to release their anger. The unfortunate thing is that in doing what they're doing they screw their community and their own situations even harder. Vandalism, Arson and Looting merely punishes the few, already struggling businesses in their already tenuous community. It's like snuffing out the few candles that actually managed to survive the wind just because people were mad. In doing this the people involved also just perpetuate their own stereotypes and almost justify, in a way, their unfair treatment (stereotype: black ppl r violent –> they loot + destroy baltimore stores –> maybe the stereotype is actually real and not flawed).

The sad part is that there really isn't a feasible solution to this problem at least from what I can see. There's an enormous trust gap between lower income communities and predominantly white / perceived disconnected cops that probably won't be bridged for generations, thus any interactions between the groups are bound to fail as there is no trust that either side will carry out the terms of any agreement between the two. Combined with the government not doing anything about it due to the "no-compromise" and my way or the highway attitude crippling Congress and legislatures around the country, it's just going to be an unfortunate reality for as you and me live.

Alternative note that a friend in university has pointed out:

Friends: Before you castigate the 100-or-so Black citizens of Baltimore who were involved in violent protests this week for "rioting" or "looting," consider the following:
1) 10,000 people protested peacefully in Baltimore but were neither pictured nor discussed in headlines from major news organizations.
2) When white sports fans or college students have fought, looted, destroyed property, and clashed with police in the streets, they've been met with nothing more than sighs of "kids will be kids" and the like. When Black Americans protesting against the unrelenting onslaught of murder at the hands of the same police who are sworn to protect them and their communities, they are met with searing derision.
3) Thousands of Black American citizens killed by the police have garnered far fewer laments from the public and the national press than the comparatively insignificant amount of property damage caused by these so-called "riots." We're weighing the value of human lives against the value of broken windows.

To the extent that I am personally a pacifist and fear for the Black citizens of Baltimore whose lives are at risk every time they interact–peacefully and otherwise–with the police and the National Guard, I fervently hope for a swift end to this violence. But let's recognize these double standards of judgment, journalism, and justice for what they are.

Related articles:

10,000 Strong Peacefully Protest In Downtown Baltimore, Media Only Reports The Violence & Arrest of Dozens

11 Stunning Images Highlight the Double Standard of Reactions to Riots Like Baltimore

Interesting that I never heard of the peaceful aspect until now. It's important to know all the facts I suppose before jumping to conclusions.

From: Clarity


Interesting that I never heard of the peaceful aspect until now. It's important to know all the facts I suppose before jumping to conclusions.

Yea but this case sounds pretty clear to me. So this guy went into a police van alive, and came out with a broken spine. What in the hell didn't they put a seat bell on him for? (which they admitted they didn't). Like, there is no way anybody could possibly spin this to make it not look like the police's fault.

From: rj
Yea but this case sounds pretty clear to me. So this guy went into a police van alive, and came out with a broken spine. What in the hell didn't they put a seat bell on him for? (which they admitted they didn't). Like, there is no way anybody could possibly spin this to make it not look like the police's fault.

Yeah definitely those officer's fault for not transporting him safely. Department policy says to buckle him in, and they didn't.

I never fail to be amazed at the pure incompetence and brutality displayed by police officers in the United States. In Australia, if a police officer uses their gun, there's practically a 6 month inquiry and a billion lines of paperwork to be filled out to explain and justify the situation. Our police are held to a high standard, and although corruption occurs just like anywhere else in the world, a police officer shooting someone and killing them would make national headlines for a month. In the UK, it's pretty much the same, because only specially trained police are allowed to carry firearms. In the US, when someone is killed by a cop, it's almost as though no one gives a shit and that's just a part of life. They must have been doing something to deserve being murdered, there's no other explanation.

I just realised that I went from calm to "F the police", lol, but if everything I see and hear from the US is any indication, I'm not far from the truth. You guys have some serious problems, and events like this just seem to exacerbate the problem.

From: BMWxi
Yeah definitely those officer's fault for not transporting him safely. Department policy says to buckle him in, and they didn't.

And the police officers probably won't be getting into trouble because it's 'against department policy' but not illegal. IMO they should be charged with manslaughter, because that's what it is.

Cops are people too. They should be held accountable for their actions. Need to hear more news reports on, "Police officer arrested on charges of xyz". I ain't never heard not such thing. Please show the public the incidents where cops do cross a line and pay for their crime(s). And if you have trouble finding such cases, look harder… it happens all the time.
If police use a service weapon resulting in someones death; they have a lot of explaining to do.(Like in AU or UK) Half of the time these guys fire nearly the whole clip. IF they were properly trained they should be able to nonlethaly neutralize "a threat" and still have bullets left over in the clip for more action.
If the police want the right to carry and use guns, they better have well trained cops. Guns are not toys.* Tbh a bow and arrow takes skill to use effectively, but any idiot can use a gun to "protect" themselves. It then logically follows that training should be that much more rigorous.

Sources: GTA and CoD

* Except for the ones little kids have. Don't shoot little kids with toy guns. Unless they have a real gun… cause in that case chances are this kid prolly just got finished killing or is about to kill a family member "by accident". But we all know that kids are trying to start a revolution. The kiddy uprising is coming. Prepare. Otherwise they, the young, will one day be alive. And us, the older, will be dead. You've been warned bro.

From: BMWxi
Yeah definitely those officer's fault for not transporting him safely. Department policy says to buckle him in, and they didn't.

The officer(s) should get charged and/or fired. When their own policies aren't followed, they're not "immune" anymore. It happened in South Carolina with that one officer that put 7 shots into a dude who was running away. Policies weren't followed, so they were in the wrong.
I'd say the officers should get charged. Not following the policies given is a violation of their own "law", for lack of a better word. When they don't follow it, they should get disciplined, just like anyone else would.
Manslaughter would be appropriate, as @rj said.

I think it's ridiculous when african americans (i'm using this as an example because I haven't seen a white person doing it yet} use these sorts of occasions to go and loot stores. Like what does grouping up in ski masks and stealing A SHIT TON of stuff from helpless 7 eleven's that have done nothing wrong in any way shape or form contribute to the cause? Like it just further perpetuates the stereotypes that everyone establishes in their minds when they see these sorts of things happening and then there are an incredible amount of individuals who take advantage of the situation for their own personal game. It's really easy to taint one's image whereas it's really hard to repair said image. If a large amount of people group up to steal things from innocent stores and harass people because of an injustice, that accomplishes absolutely nothing. I know my view may be a bit inappropriate, and I promise I'm not saying "all black people are bad" or anything along the lines of that; and I really do agree that it is an injustice but I don't see how these things help in any way. Honestly, it just makes me hate the people involved in these situations even more.
DISREGARD THAT I AM RACIST

From: knotted fear
I think it's ridiculous when african americans (i'm using this as an example because I haven't seen a white person doing it yet} use these sorts of occasions to go and loot stores. Like what does grouping up in ski masks and stealing A SHIT TON of stuff from helpless 7 eleven's that have done nothing wrong in any way shape or form contribute to the cause? Like it just further perpetuates the stereotypes that everyone establishes in their minds when they see these sorts of things happening and then there are an incredible amount of individuals who take advantage of the situation for their own personal game. It's really easy to taint one's image whereas it's really hard to repair said image. If a large amount of people group up to steal things from innocent stores and harass people because of an injustice, that accomplishes absolutely nothing. I know my view may be a bit inappropriate, and I promise I'm not saying "all black people are bad" or anything along the lines of that; and I really do agree that it is an injustice but I don't see how these things help in any way. Honestly, it just makes me hate the people involved in these situations even more.

Oh the ignorance.

tls, please explain your avatar.

From: tls
Oh the ignorance.

i'm not sure how stating that when people take advantage of a situation for no reason other than personal gain, especially when the situation at hand is more based on justice and "the right thing", is ignorance? Tell me please…

From: knotted fear
i'm not sure how stating that when people take advantage of a situation for no reason other than personal gain, especially when the situation at hand is more based on justice and "the right thing", is ignorance? Tell me please…

cause it's not only a black thing lawl Stanley cup Riot

From: rj
cause it's not only a black thing lawl Stanley cup Riot

im talking about this specific scenario how it just enforces the stereotypes that thousands of people have worldwide. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quW7LquykV8&feature=youtu.be What does trying to light an innocent pizza store owner on fire have to do with anything related to the injustices that occurred in Maryland? What you don't seem to understand is I'm not saying that what happened is acceptable, I'm saying that the way the people are reacting is terrible. As for the stanley cup riot, I live in vancouver and I witnessed the riot and it was terrible, the way people acted was ridiculous and there are hundreds of people that were convicted for their crimes. That's the difference here, I don't think anyone rioting in Maryland is going to be convicted, and the riot actually gave a terrible picture of our city to the world for a decent amount of time

From: knotted fear
im talking about this specific scenario how it just enforces the stereotypes that thousands of people have worldwide. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quW7LquykV8&feature=youtu.be What does trying to light an innocent pizza store owner on fire have to do with anything related to the injustices that occurred in Maryland? What you don't seem to understand is I'm not saying that what happened is acceptable, I'm saying that the way the people are reacting is terrible. As for the stanley cup riot, I live in vancouver and I witnessed the riot and it was terrible, the way people acted was ridiculous and there are hundreds of people that were convicted for their crimes. That's the difference here, I don't think anyone rioting in Maryland is going to be convicted, and the riot actually gave a terrible picture of our city to the world for a decent amount of time

It's because of the multitude of stereotypes, among other factors, that this situation comes to be in the first place. Black people don't act this way because that's the way they are (what stereotypes portray), they act this way because the stereotypes force them to. With years upon years of disparagement.
Think of everyone as rats in a cage. Treat group A rats well, and treat group B rats poorly. How are they going to behave differently after generations of living side by side, yet receiving different treatments.
That's why giving any kind of validity to stereotypes is so harmful and reckless.

From: fastler
It's because of the multitude of stereotypes, among other factors, that this situation comes to be in the first place. Black people don't act this way because that's the way they are (what stereotypes portray), they act this way because the stereotypes force them to. With years upon years of disparagement.
Think of everyone as rats in a cage. Treat group A rats well, and treat group B rats poorly. How are they going to behave differently after generations of living side by side, yet receiving different treatments.
That's why giving any kind of validity to stereotypes is so harmful and reckless.

That's why theres thousands of protesters that are fine and don't steal and commit more crimes on top of crimes that are already being committed. How does committing a crime after a crime has been committed contribute to society in any positive way? If there are hundreds of people that can protest peacefully, and then hundreds that can't, there is no way for you to say that they're doing this because of forced stereotypes that have been placed on them. They're doing this to take advantage of a situation, and they're enforcing the stereotypes ON THEIR OWN. No one is forcing them to loot, damage, and actually assault innocent people for something they had no control or any involvement in. It's as simple as that, there is no justification for what they are doing in this situation, just like there was no justification for what people did during the stanley cup riots. I'm not saying this is bad because they're black, i'm saying it's bad because of what they're doing. That's what I'm trying to say.

From: knotted fear
That's why theres thousands of protesters that are fine and don't steal and commit more crimes on top of crimes that are already being committed. How does committing a crime after a crime has been committed contribute to society in any positive way? If there are hundreds of people that can protest peacefully, and then hundreds that can't, there is no way for you to say that they're doing this because of forced stereotypes that have been placed on them. They're doing this to take advantage of a situation, and they're enforcing the stereotypes ON THEIR OWN. No one is forcing them to loot, damage, and actually assault innocent people for something they had no control or any involvement in. It's as simple as that, there is no justification for what they are doing in this situation, just like there was no justification for what people did during the stanley cup riots. I'm not saying this is bad because they're black, i'm saying it's bad because of what they're doing. That's what I'm trying to say.

Then why even mention skin color?

From: tls
Then why even mention skin color?

How do you not understand my point? In this situation, it is stereotypes that have been created in society concerning people of AFRICAN AMERICAN DESCENT. That is why I mentioned colour. If you go back to the first post I made, I stated that the way they are acting just solidifies any stereotypes people may have created or have established through society. I'm not saying the stereotypes are true, or that they are valid; I'm saying that when people take advantage of a situation like this to act the way that they are acting, it doesn't help them in any way. In fact, it just makes them seem worse in public opinion. Stop thinking that i'm attacking black people, you don't need to get upset that I mentioned colour. There is no denial that the way they are acting just makes the stereotypes worse, if you deny that then you're the ignorant one.

From: knotted fear
i'm not sure how stating that when people take advantage of a situation for no reason other than personal gain, especially when the situation at hand is more based on justice and "the right thing", is ignorance? Tell me please…

what you said here is perfectly true.

It's just that black people are not even close to the only ones who do this at times. There was tons of this in almost every rebellion that's happened in history so far, including the french which I am sure had white people in it as well as the american revolution. In more recent times, Egypt (actually pre-dominantly 'white'-ish) had tons of this and I distinctly remember seeing an article about people in Brazil actually dismembering a goalie because they rioted over a call he made.

From: J_R
what you said here is perfectly true.

It's just that black people are not even close to the only ones who do this at times. There was tons of this in almost every rebellion that's happened in history so far, including the french which I am sure had white people in it as well as the american revolution. In more recent times, Egypt (actually pre-dominantly 'white'-ish) had tons of this and I distinctly remember seeing an article about people in Brazil actually dismembering a goalie because they rioted over a call he made.

The difference is that black people face a lot more challenges in society than those people do because of discrimination and the overall indecency of the generally uneducated population. If you take a group of people who are faced with a numerous amount of negative stereotypes, and then that group of people validates all the stereotypes people place upon them in a situation like this, it makes said group of people seem much worse than they really are. The stereotypes aren't true in day to day life, however in this scenario they are true because of how the people act, and that is what i'm saying aggravates people. They are capable of rioting and protesting without harming innocent people or stealing, as is EVERYONE that riots, but it is because of the fact that they are black that the situation is worse in regards to stereotypes, because people can easily use them as a scapegoat. If they want to move away from said stereotypes, then acting in ways similar to that of the maryland riots is not the way. Obviously people need to become educated and understand that these stereotypes are not true, but that's not going to happen, clearly. So if you want things to change, you need to make that change on your own. A perfect example is the mother who saw her son protesting and rioting/looting on TV and she decided to go down to where he was and she slapped him and dragged him home. That's a perfect example of a way to combat the stereotypes. Don't validate them, invalidate them. That's my point. I'm not racist, I think black people are 100% equal and should be treated 100% as equal as everyone in the world. I'm not even white, i'm indian, and I don't think it's fair the way they are treated at all. But the situation is not helping one bit.

rioters gonna riot.

Rioters no longer gonna riot… came here expecting to hear about the latest Footlocker raid and was met with vehicle expiration dates and 10-codes

From: knotted fear
That's why theres thousands of protesters that are fine and don't steal and commit more crimes on top of crimes that are already being committed. How does committing a crime after a crime has been committed contribute to society in any positive way? If there are hundreds of people that can protest peacefully, and then hundreds that can't, there is no way for you to say that they're doing this because of forced stereotypes that have been placed on them. They're doing this to take advantage of a situation, and they're enforcing the stereotypes ON THEIR OWN. No one is forcing them to loot, damage, and actually assault innocent people for something they had no control or any involvement in. It's as simple as that, there is no justification for what they are doing in this situation, just like there was no justification for what people did during the stanley cup riots. I'm not saying this is bad because they're black, i'm saying it's bad because of what they're doing. That's what I'm trying to say.

We are basically saying the same thing, but my point is that the looting is a result of impoverished people taking advantage of chaos, and that turns into mob-mentality coaxing further people to loot. Perhaps looting might not happen if socioeconomic standards where higher. But property damage would still occur due to outraged mobs.

Larger point is, these kinds of things have been going on a long time now. Thanks to all the riots, there is news coverage and intelligent people push past the drama and debate the important issues behind it all.

The officers (allegedly) responsible for for Freddie's death are being charged: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/02/us/freddie-gray-autopsy-report-given-to-baltimore-prosecutors.html

From: rj
The officers (allegedly) responsible for for Freddie's death are being charged: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/02/us/freddie-gray-autopsy-report-given-to-baltimore-prosecutors.html

Was just about to link this, the death was established as a murder and the cops involved are going to be charged accordingly. At least there is a sliver of justice that will come out of this terrible situation.

From: knotted fear
Was just about to link this, the death was established as a murder and the cops involved are going to be charged accordingly. At least there is a sliver of justice that will come out of this terrible situation.

Established as a homicide. One of the officers was charged with murder.

From: rj
The officers (allegedly) responsible for for Freddie's death are being charged: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/02/us/freddie-gray-autopsy-report-given-to-baltimore-prosecutors.html

If it weren't for the massive coverage this likely wouldn't have even happened.

From: Clarity
Alternative note that a friend in university has pointed out:


Related articles:

10,000 Strong Peacefully Protest In Downtown Baltimore, Media Only Reports The Violence & Arrest of Dozens

11 Stunning Images Highlight the Double Standard of Reactions to Riots Like Baltimore

Interesting that I never heard of the peaceful aspect until now. It's important to know all the facts I suppose before jumping to conclusions.

I agree with you 100%.

I'm actually from Baltimore county (born and raised) and honestly they're just playing mirror games. Doing what other cities did to make a statement.