The creator of The Wire, the acclaimed HBO crime-drama that was set in Baltimore and aired from 2002-2008, called on Monday for an end to violence that erupted after funeral services for Freddie Gray, whose death following an injury in police custody has become the latest rallying cry for law enforcement reforms.
“The anger and the selfishness and the brutality of those claiming the right to violence in Freddie Gray’s name needs to cease,” David Simon, a former Baltimore Sun police reporter, wrote on his website, where he also engaged with commenters.
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency Monday after 15 police officers were injured following violent clashes with demonstrators described by police as “lawless.” The confrontations occurred in the hours after funeral services for Gray, who died April 19 following the arrest one week earlier.
“There was real power and potential in the peaceful protests that spoke in Mr. Gray’s name initially, and there was real unity at his homegoing today,” Simon continues. “But this, now, in the streets, is an affront to that man’s memory and a dimunition [SIC] of the absolute moral lesson that underlies his unnecessary death.”
See the Clashes in Baltimore After Freddie Gray's Funeral
A rioter stands atop a burning car as another man pours fuel onto the fire while Baltimore firefighters behind them fight fires in multiple burning buildings set ablaze by rioters during clashes in Baltimore on April 27, 2015.Jim Bourg—ReutersFirefighters battle a blaze after riots in Baltimore on April 27, 2015.Jerry Jackson—TNS /LandovTwo cars burn in the middle of an intersection during riots near New Shiloh Baptist Church in Baltimore on April 27, 2015.Andrew Burton—Getty ImagesProtestors and pedestrians walk down Pennsylvania Avenue as smoke from a nearby CVS on fire covers the area in Baltimore on April 27, 2015. Noah Scialom—EPAA demonstrator raises his fist as police stand in formation as a store burns during unrest following the funeral of Freddie Gray in Baltimore on Monday, April 27, 2015.Patrick Semansky—APDemonstrators climb on a destroyed Baltimore Police car in the street near the corner of Pennsylvania and North avenues during violent protests following the funeral of Freddie Gray in Baltimore on April 27, 2015.Chip Somodevilla—Getty ImagesPolice carry an injured officer from the streets near Mondawmin Mall in Baltimore on April 27, 2015.Brendan Smialowski—AFP/Getty ImagesA demonstrator looks up after being sprayed with pepper spray during clashes in Baltimore on April 27, 2015.Shannon Stapleton—ReutersA man walks past a burning police vehicle in Baltimore on April 27, 2015.Patrick Semansky—APPolice put out a fire while responding to people protesting after the funeral of Freddie Gray in Baltimore on April 27, 2015. Michael Reynolds—EPAPolice officers arrest a man near Mondawmin Mall in Baltimore on April 27, 2015.Drew Angerer—Getty ImagesPolice officers use pepper spray against demonstrators after the funeral of Freddie Gray in Baltimore on April 27, 2015.Jose Luis Magana—APBaltimore police officers tackle and arrest looters after they emerged from a "Deals" store with merchandise during clashes between rioters and police in Baltimore on April 27, 2015.Jim Bourg—ReutersA protestor unrolls police caution tape on North Avenue and Fulton Street during a protest for the death of Freddie Gray in Baltimore on April 27, 2015. Noah Scialom—EPAA man hurls a rock at Baltimore police officers outside the Mondawmin Mall following the funeral of Freddie Gray in Baltimore on April 27, 2015.Chip Somodevilla—Getty ImagesPolice officers walk in formation on Reisterstown Road near Mondawmin Mall in Baltimore on April 27, 2015 .Drew Angerer—Getty ImagesBaltimore police officers form a line in front of protesters near Mondawmin Mall in Baltimore on April 27, 2015.Brendan Smialowski—AFP/Getty ImagesA woman cries as demonstrators throw rocks at police officers during clashes in Baltimore on April 27, 2015.Shannon Stapleton—ReutersProtesters surround a police officer near Mondawmin Mall in Baltimore on April 27, 2015.Drew Angerer—Getty ImagesFriends and relatives say their last goodbyes to Freddie Gray as his casket is lowered into his grave at the Woodland Cemetery in Baltimore on April 27, 2015.Chip Somodevilla—Getty ImagesA pillow depicts the image of Freddie Gray inside his open casket during the funeral at New Shiloh Baptist Church in Baltimore on April 27, 2015. Michael Reynolds—EPAGloria Darden, mother of Freddie Gray, is comforted as she embraces his body before his funeral at New Shiloh Baptist Church in Baltimore on April 27, 2015.Patrick Semansky—APGloria Darden, mother of Freddie Gray, is embraced before her son's funeral at New Shiloh Baptist Church in Baltimore on April 27, 2015.Brendan Smialowski—AFP/Getty Images
