Baltimore is not unique, as the conditions necessary to ignite a violent uprising exist in Philadelphia.
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The leaders of Baltimore are saying all the right things, but what Meg Gibson, a Baltimore City school teacher, witnessed on Monday evening, April 27th, can only be described as an ambush.
The Baltimore Sun reflected the same occurrence:
âWhen 3 p.m. came 75 to 100 students heading to Mondawmin Mall were greeted by dozens of police officers in riot gear. The students began pelting officers with water bottles and rocks. Bricks met shieldsâĤ some said the presence of the police antagonized the neighborhood.â
Curiously, in Baltimoreâs leadershipâs call for peaceful protests, is the absence of de-escalation. How ironic that Monday’s rioting followed a week of mostly peaceful protests.
Baltimore’s Mayor, Mrs. Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, said she acted with care on Monday to avoid a heavy-handed response that would incite violence.
Yet the appearance of throngs of police in riot gear greeting countless youth did just that, not de-escalation. Officers throwing bricks back at children is riot control Iâve never heard of, and not de-escalation.
Incredibly, riot officers marched and grunted as they slammed Billy clubs against riot shields invoking images of orc hordes marching to war ala Lord of the Rings – not my intention to trivialize, but itâs the only time Iâve seen en masse marching and chanting in unison while slamming weapons against shields.
It could be leaders were fully aware, or not. What is undisputed is that Police Departments hold significant power over how they choose to engage the public, in spite of what Operating Procedures are: a growing mountain of dead black bodies speaks to this truth.
Baltimore is not unique, as the conditions necessary to ignite a violent uprising exist in Philadelphia.
The dissatisfaction with the lack of sympathy and transparency during the investigation into the killing of Mr. Brandon Tate Brown, an unarmed 26 year-old shot in the back of the head by a Philadelphia police officer, has produced palpable angst and fury directed toward police in numerous circumstances.
The report from the Department of Justice is scathing, and numerous reports have likened the ânickel rideâ which may have potentially killed Freddie Gray as being a part of Philadelphia Policing legacy.
With the May 19th primaries impending, the challenge will now be in the proactive preparation and policy initiatives leadership must employ to prevent a #Philadelphia hashtag.
State Senator, Mr. Anthony Williams, has taken the lead in his recent announcement of a community policing initiative which includes a zero tolerance policy for racist and homophobic slurs, as well as an end to broken window policing policies that have further eroded trust and driven a divide between police and communities of color.
On the surface, mayors and police chiefs around the country have good working relationships, but the dynamics are usually unknown. A more poignant question is the role of Police Unions around the country. Will new policy initiatives be circumvented by the staggering political and financial influence of these organizations?
Philadelphia Police Commissioner, Mr. Charles Ramsey has fired officers for misconduct in the past, only to have FOP President, Mr. John McNesby, subvert his power. Incidentally, Mr. McNesby has already publicly opposed Senator Williamsâs policy initiatives on policing.
In New York City, police literally turned their backs on Mayor Bill DeBlasio during funerals of slain detectives, Mr. Wenjian Liu and Mr. Rafael Ramos â murdered by a man who sought to exploit the tragedy of Mike Brown â at the behest of Union Head Pat Lynch.
Mr. Lynch brazenly accused Mayor DeBlasio of having â[his hands] dripping with our blood because of his words, actions and policiesâ. Who is really in control?
New leadership in Philadelphia will deal with these realities, one way or another. The new mayor must be prepared to end initiatives that have failed, replace them with new policy, and meet all challenges to their power head on.
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About the Author
B.O.L.D member J. Desmond McKinson is the Scheduling Administrator and Social Media Manager for Pennsylvania State Senator Shirley Kitchen and holds degrees in English and Political Science from Temple University.
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CLICK HEREÂ to hear J.D McKinson and Black men across America explain WHY THE BLACK VOTE MATTERS.
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