JINHA

NEWS CENTER – The Maryland governor has declared a state of emergency in Baltimore amidst riots in the wake of the death of 25-year-old black youth Freddie Gray from severe injuries sustained while in police custody.

Protests started on Saturday, with massive crowds taking to the streets to demand justice for Freddie, who suffered severe spinal cord injuries after police arrested him for “making eye contact” with an officer and then running away.

Young people began hurling bricks and bottles at police in riot gear soon after Freddie was buried in the afternoon on Monday. Fires burned across the city Monday night. Reports say that the gangs Bloods, Crips, Black Guerrilla Family, as well as the Nation of Islam have announced a ceasefire.

The city has announced a curfew starting on Tuesday and said that 5,000 National Guard troops could be deployed to the city.

(nt/cm)