Civil Unrest in Baltimore Through The Eyes Of Ray Lewis, Carmelo Anthony, and Orioles COO John Angelos

The Baltimore Orioles have made an interesting move to get back to the business of baseball in the midst of the civil unrest following the death of Freddie Gray.

Gray, is a 25-year-old black man who was arrested April 12th, after a foot pursuit with Baltimore police. He was allegedly taken on what’s known as a “rough ride.”

At some point, he suffered a severe spinal cord injury. He complained that he couldn’t breath, but wasn’t given medical treatment. His family said his voice box was crushed and his neck snapped before he slipped into a coma and died.

Deputy Police Commissioner Kevin Davis publicly acknowledged that the officers were negligent. “We know our police employees failed to get him medical attention in a timely manner multiple times.”

Protests began to turn violent over the weekend. On Sunday, there were instances of vandalism in the area surrounding Camden Yards, where the Baltimore Orioles were playing a game. Fans attending were eventually locked in Camden Yards after the game until it became safe to leave.

Monday’s game was postponed, and Wednesday’s game will be played, but without fans present, for safety concerns.

Orioles COO John Angelos, son of owner Peter Angelos, took to Twitter on Sunday to give proper context to what’s been happening, not just in the city of Baltimore, but all over America.  His remarks were sparked after a broadcaster complained about the protests.

Transcribed by FTW

Brett, speaking only for myself, I agree with your point that the principle of peaceful, non-violent protest and the observance of the rule of law is of utmost importance in any society. MLK, Gandhi, Mandela and all great opposition leaders throughout history have always preached this precept. Further, it is critical that in any democracy, investigation must be completed and due process must be honored before any government or police members are judged responsible.

That said, my greater source of personal concern, outrage and sympathy beyond this particular case is focused neither upon one night’s property damage nor upon the acts, but is focused rather upon the past four-decade period during which an American political elite have shipped middle class and working class jobs away from Baltimore and cities and towns around the U.S. to third-world dictatorships like China and others, plunged tens of millions of good, hard-working Americans into economic devastation, and then followed that action around the nation by diminishing every American’s civil rights protections in order to control an unfairly impoverished population living under an ever-declining standard of living and suffering at the butt end of an ever-more militarized and aggressive surveillance state.

The innocent working families of all backgrounds whose lives and dreams have been cut short by excessive violence, surveillance, and other abuses of the Bill of Rights by government pay the true price, and ultimate price, and one that far exceeds the importances of any kids’ game played tonight, or ever, at Camden Yards. We need to keep in mind people are suffering and dying around the U.S., and while we are thankful no one was injured at Camden Yards, there is a far bigger picture for poor Americans in Baltimore and everywhere who don’t have jobs and are losing economic civil and legal rights, and this makes inconvenience at a ballgame irrelevant in light of the needless suffering government is inflicting upon ordinary Americans.

The thing that makes his statement even that much more powerful is the fact that this is coming from the team’s COO. Not the person you would expect to be on the side of protestors, when it’s ultimately impacting his business’ bottom line.

Carmelo Anthony grew up in Baltimore, he left this message on his Instagram pageWe all want Justice. And our city will get the answers we are looking for. My deepest sympathy goes out to the GRAY Family. To see my city in a State of Emergency is just shocking. We need to protect our city, not destroy it. What happens when we get the answers that we want, and the media attention is not there anymore? We go back to being the same ol Baltimore City again. If not yourself, then Think about the youth. How this will impact them. Let’s build our city up not tear it down. Although, we want justice, let’s look at the real issues at hand. For example, When was the last school built in Baltimore? That’s just one example. I know my community is fed up. I’m all about fighting for what we believe in. The anger, the resentment, the neglect that our community feels right now, will not change over night. Continue, fighting for what you believe in. But remember, it takes no time to destroy something. But, it can take forever to build it back up. Peace7. #Thisonehitshome #BeMore #LetsNotFallForTheTrap “Please Understand What State Of Emergency Mean”(Destroy and Conquer) #StayMe7o

Former Baltimore Ravens star Ray Lewis made an impassioned 2:00 minute plea for peace on his Facebook page.

Other NFL players also weighed in with their thoughts.