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Governor.: 'Long night ahead' in Baltimore - USA TODAY

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Governor.: 'Long night ahead' in Baltimore

The governor of Maryland declared a state of emergency Monday after the streets of Baltimore erupted in violence after the funeral for an African-American man who died of injuries he sustained while in police custody.

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As the sun came up in Baltimore Tuesday morning, the damage left behind by violent riots could be clearly seen. Buildings were burned and stores were destroyed. Protests started over the death of a black man, Freddie Gray, in police custody. VPC

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BALTIMORE — Riot-torn Baltimore was on edge Tuesday as the state promised heavy security measures to maintain calm and Police Commissioner Anthony Batts defended law enforcement's slow response when violence erupted a day earlier.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said there would be a massive display of security in the city with 2,000 National Guard troops and 1,000 law enforcement officers Tuesday night, as the city begins a week-long curfew.

"We've got a long night ahead of us,'' Hogan said. Security forces "will not tolerate violence or looting,'' he said.

Batts said the young age of those who took to the streets with rocks and bricks -- high school students, many of them -- caused officers to take a measured initial response to Monday's violence.

"Why didn't you move faster? Because they're 14, 15 and 16 year old kids out there,'' Batts said at an afternoon news conference, posing to himself a frequently asked question.

"They're old enough to know better ….old enough to be accountable. But they're still kids, unfortunately, and we have to take that into account when we're out there.''

Appearing with Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, he defended her against critics for an initially low-profile response, calling her "courageous.'' He acknowledged that Baltimore's police culture must change: "We have more to do, but we can't do it by destroying this beautiful city."

"Overall today has been a very good day,'' Batts said. "We're going to be out in strong numbers making sure we have no issues in our city.''

There were some tense protests and a massive cleanup in the city on Tuesday. Hogan said 250 people were arrested in Monday's violence.

The city was going on a week-long nightly curfew beginning at 10 p.m.

"Acts of violence and destruction of property cannot and will not be tolerated,'' Hogan said. "This is far from over.''

The Baltimore Orioles canceled Tuesday's scheduled home game and announced it will play Wednesday in an empty Camden Yards stadium.

President Obama promised a thorough investigation into the death in police custody of Freddie Gray, the 25-year-old black man whose death of a mortal injury sustained while in police custody triggered protests.

Schools were closed, the National Guard was on the streets and wreckage was everywhere. Across from a burned and looted CVS, tensions began to rise again Tuesday afternoon.

Several people threw water bottles at police officers who stood in riot gear. At times protesters argued among themselves, some pleading for a peaceful event and others arguing that the police officers needed to feel the pain they have inflicted on the community.

Still, Batts said only two arrests were made Tuesday by late afternoon. "For the most part, the city has been calm today,'' Batts said.

James Brown, 27, an event planner, said he believes the situation will worsen. "This is not going to end," he said. "Black men feel like we don't have rights. We are not being heard."

Earlier, Rawlings-Blake toured the destruction.

"We will not let these deplorable and cowardly acts of violence ruin our city," she tweeted. "I sincerely want to thank all those out there cleaning up streets and sharing their love for #OurCity. Thank you, Baltimore!"

Rawlings-Blake walked back comments she made about "thugs" trying to tear down the city.

"I wanted to say something that was on my heart … We don't have thugs in Baltimore. Sometimes my little anger interpreter gets the best of me," she said, pointing to her head. "We have a lot of kids that are acting out, a lot of people in our community that are acting out."

She dismissed claims that she waited too long to send in a heavy police and National Guard presence. She cited a "delicate balancing act" between managing the problem and making it worse.

  • Damage in Baltimore as rioters set fires, loot stores

    Damage in Baltimore as rioters set fires, loot stores

  • Baltimore shaken by violence, destruction

    Baltimore shaken by violence, destruction

  • Raw: Baltimore firefighters put out blaze at looted CVS

    Raw: Baltimore firefighters put out blaze at looted CVS

  • Video of Baltimore protests captured on city streets

    Video of Baltimore protests captured on city streets

  • Freddie Gray's family calls for peace

    Freddie Gray's family calls for peace

  • Religious leaders try to quell Baltimore violence

    Religious leaders try to quell Baltimore violence

  • Md. governor 'glad' Baltimore mayor 'finally' requested aid

    Md. governor 'glad' Baltimore mayor 'finally' requested aid

  • Baltimore mayor defends city's response to violence

    Baltimore mayor defends city's response to violence

  • Protesters loot, set police car on fire in Baltimore

    Protesters loot, set police car on fire in Baltimore

  • Raw: Looters target stores in Baltimore

    Raw: Looters target stores in Baltimore

  • Baltimore Mayor: 'Thugs' are destroying our city

    Baltimore Mayor: 'Thugs' are destroying our city

  • Raw: CVS store up in flames

    Raw: CVS store up in flames

  • MD Police: 'Outrageous criminals' attacked cops

    MD Police: 'Outrageous criminals' attacked cops

  • Baltimore protests halted during Freddie Gray's wake

    Baltimore protests halted during Freddie Gray's wake

  • Freddie Gray attorney urges end to violence

    Freddie Gray attorney urges end to violence

  • Mourners honor life of Freddie Gray at funeral

    Mourners honor life of Freddie Gray at funeral

  • Baltimore mayor: 'This is our city'

    Baltimore mayor: 'This is our city'

  • Violence erupts during freddie gray protests

    Violence erupts during freddie gray protests

  • Freddie Gray protest turns violent in Baltimore

    Freddie Gray protest turns violent in Baltimore

  • Thousands protest death of Freddie Gray in Baltimore

    Thousands protest death of Freddie Gray in Baltimore

  • Crowds gather for Baltimore protest

    Crowds gather for Baltimore protest

  • Mayor: Freddie Gray's death 'horribly tragic'

    Mayor: Freddie Gray's death 'horribly tragic'

  • Freddie Gray protesters arrested in Baltimore

    Freddie Gray protesters arrested in Baltimore

  • Protestors march through Baltimore streets

    Protestors march through Baltimore streets

  • Protests heat up as hundreds rally for Freddie Gray

    Protests heat up as hundreds rally for Freddie Gray

  • Freddie Gray protester: 'Not an event, it's a movement'

    Freddie Gray protester: 'Not an event, it's a movement'

  • Tension heats up in Maryland after Freddie Gray's death

    Tension heats up in Maryland after Freddie Gray's death

  • Raw: Protesters demand justice for Maryland man

    Raw: Protesters demand justice for Maryland man

  • Freddie Gray's death sparks outrage, investigation

    Freddie Gray's death sparks outrage, investigation

  • Raw: MD rally held as probe is announced

    Raw: MD rally held as probe is announced

  • Baltimore police: No answers in Freddie Gray death

    Baltimore police: No answers in Freddie Gray death

  • Witness said he heard Freddie Gray scream during arrest

    Witness said he heard Freddie Gray scream during arrest

  • Police: still don't know how suspect died

    Police: still don't know how suspect died

  • What happened while Freddie Gray was in police custody?

    What happened while Freddie Gray was in police custody?

"It is very important that we respond to the situation as it is on the ground," she said. "There are always going to be armchair quarterbacks who have never sat in my seat."

Police Capt. John Kowalczyk said the relatively light initial police presence was because authorities were preparing for a protest of high schoolers. A heavy police presence and automatic weapons would not have been appropriate, he said. Kowalczyk said police made more than 200 arrests — only 34 of them juveniles.

During the mayhem, social media was alive with "#purge," an apparent allusion to the film The Purge, which featured a 12-hour period in which all crime is legal.

Police stand guard as people protest near the CVS pharmacy that was set on fire Monday during rioting after the funeral of Freddie Gray, on April 28, 2015 in Baltimore. (Photo: Andrew Burton, Getty Images)

Gray, 25, died April 19, one week after being arrested and suffering a severe spinal injury. After Gray's funeral Monday, protests ostensibly against police violence quickly deteriorated into devastating riots. Bands of looters, some armed with crowbars, roamed the city, hurling rocks at police, destroying patrol cars, smashing store windows and torching buildings.

More than 20 police officers were injured, Kowalczyk said. About 20 businesses and more than 140 cars burned as the mayhem spilled into Tuesday's early hours. From 1 a.m. to 5 a.m., the city's Office of Emergency Management reported 10 major blazes.

"Please allow members of the fire department to respond to their calls for service," the police tweeted at 2 a.m. "We are still hearing reports of them being assaulted."

The governor declared a state of emergency, and authorities ordered 10 p.m. curfews for the rest of the week.

On Tuesday, residents swept glass and debris from battered sidewalks and streets while National Guard members stood sentry.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan also toured parts of the city Tuesday. He said the violence began at about 3 p.m. Monday, but added that the National Guard did not enter the fray until asked by the mayor three hours later.

He said a "couple thousand" guard members and city police were patrolling the city, and that another 1,000 guard members would be in the city by Tuesday night.

"The vast majority of the people in Baltimore who were protesting did so in a peaceful way, but unfortunately a smaller group of people acted out in a violent way," Hogan said. "What happened last night is not going to happen tonight."

Many businesses, wary of a resurgence of violence that had overwhelmed police and fire fighters, closed on Tuesday.

The list included Security Square Mall with more than 100 stores in western Baltimore. Many downtown businesses were closed, and mutual fund houses T. Rowe Price and Legg Mason announced that most employees were working from home.

Jamal Bryant, a local activist and pastor of Empowerment Temple AME Church, opened his church to teens with no place to go due to the school closures. He promised to conduct training on how to protest without destroying the city.

Bryant tweeted: "We're also gonna take HS students to go clean up OUR neighborhoods. We must rise from the ashes. Meet at @EmpowermentTem2 at 10"

Obama also said economic and cultural problems must be addressed to fully solve the problem of violence on streets here and across the nation. Still, he stressed, that's no excuse for the violence.

"When individuals get crowbars and start opening doors to loot, they're not protesting," Obama said in response to a query at a White House news conference. "They're not making a statement. They are stealing. When they burn down a building they are committing arson. And they are destroying and undermining businesses and opportunities in their own communities."

Contributing: Donna Leinwand Leger, John Bacon

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Governor.: 'Long night ahead' in Baltimore

The governor of Maryland declared a state of emergency Monday after the streets of Baltimore erupted in violence after the funeral for an African-American man who died of injuries he sustained while in police custody.

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Image CAPTCHA

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As the sun came up in Baltimore Tuesday morning, the damage left behind by violent riots could be clearly seen. Buildings were burned and stores were destroyed. Protests started over the death of a black man, Freddie Gray, in police custody. VPC

12168 20 LINKEDINMORE

BALTIMORE — Riot-torn Baltimore was on edge Tuesday as the state promised heavy security measures to maintain calm and Police Commissioner Anthony Batts defended law enforcement's slow response when violence erupted a day earlier.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said there would be a massive display of security in the city with 2,000 National Guard troops and 1,000 law enforcement officers Tuesday night, as the city begins a week-long curfew.

"We've got a long night ahead of us,'' Hogan said. Security forces "will not tolerate violence or looting,'' he said.

Batts said the young age of those who took to the streets with rocks and bricks -- high school students, many of them -- caused officers to take a measured initial response to Monday's violence.

"Why didn't you move faster? Because they're 14, 15 and 16 year old kids out there,'' Batts said at an afternoon news conference, posing to himself a frequently asked question.

"They're old enough to know better ….old enough to be accountable. But they're still kids, unfortunately, and we have to take that into account when we're out there.''

Appearing with Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, he defended her against critics for an initially low-profile response, calling her "courageous.'' He acknowledged that Baltimore's police culture must change: "We have more to do, but we can't do it by destroying this beautiful city."

"Overall today has been a very good day,'' Batts said. "We're going to be out in strong numbers making sure we have no issues in our city.''

There were some tense protests and a massive cleanup in the city on Tuesday. Hogan said 250 people were arrested in Monday's violence.

The city was going on a week-long nightly curfew beginning at 10 p.m.

"Acts of violence and destruction of property cannot and will not be tolerated,'' Hogan said. "This is far from over.''

The Baltimore Orioles canceled Tuesday's scheduled home game and announced it will play Wednesday in an empty Camden Yards stadium.

President Obama promised a thorough investigation into the death in police custody of Freddie Gray, the 25-year-old black man whose death of a mortal injury sustained while in police custody triggered protests.

Schools were closed, the National Guard was on the streets and wreckage was everywhere. Across from a burned and looted CVS, tensions began to rise again Tuesday afternoon.

Several people threw water bottles at police officers who stood in riot gear. At times protesters argued among themselves, some pleading for a peaceful event and others arguing that the police officers needed to feel the pain they have inflicted on the community.

Still, Batts said only two arrests were made Tuesday by late afternoon. "For the most part, the city has been calm today,'' Batts said.

James Brown, 27, an event planner, said he believes the situation will worsen. "This is not going to end," he said. "Black men feel like we don't have rights. We are not being heard."

Earlier, Rawlings-Blake toured the destruction.

"We will not let these deplorable and cowardly acts of violence ruin our city," she tweeted. "I sincerely want to thank all those out there cleaning up streets and sharing their love for #OurCity. Thank you, Baltimore!"

Rawlings-Blake walked back comments she made about "thugs" trying to tear down the city.

"I wanted to say something that was on my heart … We don't have thugs in Baltimore. Sometimes my little anger interpreter gets the best of me," she said, pointing to her head. "We have a lot of kids that are acting out, a lot of people in our community that are acting out."

She dismissed claims that she waited too long to send in a heavy police and National Guard presence. She cited a "delicate balancing act" between managing the problem and making it worse.

  • Damage in Baltimore as rioters set fires, loot stores

    Damage in Baltimore as rioters set fires, loot stores

  • Baltimore shaken by violence, destruction

    Baltimore shaken by violence, destruction

  • Raw: Baltimore firefighters put out blaze at looted CVS

    Raw: Baltimore firefighters put out blaze at looted CVS

  • Video of Baltimore protests captured on city streets

    Video of Baltimore protests captured on city streets

  • Freddie Gray's family calls for peace

    Freddie Gray's family calls for peace

  • Religious leaders try to quell Baltimore violence

    Religious leaders try to quell Baltimore violence

  • Md. governor 'glad' Baltimore mayor 'finally' requested aid

    Md. governor 'glad' Baltimore mayor 'finally' requested aid

  • Baltimore mayor defends city's response to violence

    Baltimore mayor defends city's response to violence

  • Protesters loot, set police car on fire in Baltimore

    Protesters loot, set police car on fire in Baltimore

  • Raw: Looters target stores in Baltimore

    Raw: Looters target stores in Baltimore

  • Baltimore Mayor: 'Thugs' are destroying our city

    Baltimore Mayor: 'Thugs' are destroying our city

  • Raw: CVS store up in flames

    Raw: CVS store up in flames

  • MD Police: 'Outrageous criminals' attacked cops

    MD Police: 'Outrageous criminals' attacked cops

  • Baltimore protests halted during Freddie Gray's wake

    Baltimore protests halted during Freddie Gray's wake

  • Freddie Gray attorney urges end to violence

    Freddie Gray attorney urges end to violence

  • Mourners honor life of Freddie Gray at funeral

    Mourners honor life of Freddie Gray at funeral

  • Baltimore mayor: 'This is our city'

    Baltimore mayor: 'This is our city'

  • Violence erupts during freddie gray protests

    Violence erupts during freddie gray protests

  • Freddie Gray protest turns violent in Baltimore

    Freddie Gray protest turns violent in Baltimore

  • Thousands protest death of Freddie Gray in Baltimore

    Thousands protest death of Freddie Gray in Baltimore

  • Crowds gather for Baltimore protest

    Crowds gather for Baltimore protest

  • Mayor: Freddie Gray's death 'horribly tragic'

    Mayor: Freddie Gray's death 'horribly tragic'

  • Freddie Gray protesters arrested in Baltimore

    Freddie Gray protesters arrested in Baltimore

  • Protestors march through Baltimore streets

    Protestors march through Baltimore streets

  • Protests heat up as hundreds rally for Freddie Gray

    Protests heat up as hundreds rally for Freddie Gray

  • Freddie Gray protester: 'Not an event, it's a movement'

    Freddie Gray protester: 'Not an event, it's a movement'

  • Tension heats up in Maryland after Freddie Gray's death

    Tension heats up in Maryland after Freddie Gray's death

  • Raw: Protesters demand justice for Maryland man

    Raw: Protesters demand justice for Maryland man

  • Freddie Gray's death sparks outrage, investigation

    Freddie Gray's death sparks outrage, investigation

  • Raw: MD rally held as probe is announced

    Raw: MD rally held as probe is announced

  • Baltimore police: No answers in Freddie Gray death

    Baltimore police: No answers in Freddie Gray death

  • Witness said he heard Freddie Gray scream during arrest

    Witness said he heard Freddie Gray scream during arrest

  • Police: still don't know how suspect died

    Police: still don't know how suspect died

  • What happened while Freddie Gray was in police custody?

    What happened while Freddie Gray was in police custody?

"It is very important that we respond to the situation as it is on the ground," she said. "There are always going to be armchair quarterbacks who have never sat in my seat."

Police Capt. John Kowalczyk said the relatively light initial police presence was because authorities were preparing for a protest of high schoolers. A heavy police presence and automatic weapons would not have been appropriate, he said. Kowalczyk said police made more than 200 arrests — only 34 of them juveniles.

During the mayhem, social media was alive with "#purge," an apparent allusion to the film The Purge, which featured a 12-hour period in which all crime is legal.

Police stand guard as people protest near the CVS pharmacy that was set on fire Monday during rioting after the funeral of Freddie Gray, on April 28, 2015 in Baltimore. (Photo: Andrew Burton, Getty Images)

Gray, 25, died April 19, one week after being arrested and suffering a severe spinal injury. After Gray's funeral Monday, protests ostensibly against police violence quickly deteriorated into devastating riots. Bands of looters, some armed with crowbars, roamed the city, hurling rocks at police, destroying patrol cars, smashing store windows and torching buildings.

More than 20 police officers were injured, Kowalczyk said. About 20 businesses and more than 140 cars burned as the mayhem spilled into Tuesday's early hours. From 1 a.m. to 5 a.m., the city's Office of Emergency Management reported 10 major blazes.

"Please allow members of the fire department to respond to their calls for service," the police tweeted at 2 a.m. "We are still hearing reports of them being assaulted."

The governor declared a state of emergency, and authorities ordered 10 p.m. curfews for the rest of the week.

On Tuesday, residents swept glass and debris from battered sidewalks and streets while National Guard members stood sentry.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan also toured parts of the city Tuesday. He said the violence began at about 3 p.m. Monday, but added that the National Guard did not enter the fray until asked by the mayor three hours later.

He said a "couple thousand" guard members and city police were patrolling the city, and that another 1,000 guard members would be in the city by Tuesday night.

"The vast majority of the people in Baltimore who were protesting did so in a peaceful way, but unfortunately a smaller group of people acted out in a violent way," Hogan said. "What happened last night is not going to happen tonight."

Many businesses, wary of a resurgence of violence that had overwhelmed police and fire fighters, closed on Tuesday.

The list included Security Square Mall with more than 100 stores in western Baltimore. Many downtown businesses were closed, and mutual fund houses T. Rowe Price and Legg Mason announced that most employees were working from home.

Jamal Bryant, a local activist and pastor of Empowerment Temple AME Church, opened his church to teens with no place to go due to the school closures. He promised to conduct training on how to protest without destroying the city.

Bryant tweeted: "We're also gonna take HS students to go clean up OUR neighborhoods. We must rise from the ashes. Meet at @EmpowermentTem2 at 10"

Obama also said economic and cultural problems must be addressed to fully solve the problem of violence on streets here and across the nation. Still, he stressed, that's no excuse for the violence.

"When individuals get crowbars and start opening doors to loot, they're not protesting," Obama said in response to a query at a White House news conference. "They're not making a statement. They are stealing. When they burn down a building they are committing arson. And they are destroying and undermining businesses and opportunities in their own communities."

Contributing: Donna Leinwand Leger, John Bacon

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Apr 28, 2015

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