I can't even; my city is burning down.

[thechickencoop]

You guys. I'm just going more and more into shock. In tears. I'm far enough removed in distance that I'm not physically affected but I have a lot of friends and family that live and work in Baltimore and I am terrified for them. H works a lot in the city but thankfully is heading out of town tomorrow.

Is this nationwide news? A man passed away last week after suffering some sort of injury while in police custody and while it's still under investigation, there have been violent protests all week (a lot of peaceful ones too but the point ends up being completely lost when it develops how it has) and today riots, fires, shootings, just mass hysteria. There are police officers in the hospital, rioters cut fire hoses on trucks attempting to fight a fire earlier, the National Guard has been activated; I'm just sick.

Just asking for everyone to be safe I guess in case there ends up being any violence in other cities as a result of this too. It just sucks and I'm really just, I don't even know. Shocked.

[requiressnacks]

It's on the news in Connecticut. I don't understand how violence and riots are ever the "right" answer. Be safe!

[achromia]

Apr 27, 2015 20:31:10 GMT -5 thechickencoop said:

You guys. I'm just going more and more into shock. In tears. I'm far enough removed in distance that I'm not physically affected but I have a lot of friends and family that live and work in Baltimore and I am terrified for them. H works a lot in the city but thankfully is heading out of town tomorrow.

Is this nationwide news? A man passed away last week after suffering some sort of injury while in police custody and while it's still under investigation, there have been violent protests all week (a lot of peaceful ones too but the point ends up being completely lost when it develops how it has) and today riots, fires, shootings, just mass hysteria. There are police officers in the hospital, rioters cut fire hoses on trucks attempting to fight a fire earlier, the National Guard has been activated; I'm just sick.

Just asking for everyone to be safe I guess in case there ends up being any violence in other cities as a result of this too. It just sucks and I'm really just, I don't even know. Shocked.

((hugs))  It's very hard to watch. It just seems like the police have no control over the situation at this point. I hope that the arrival of the National Guard helps to stem the violence.

[thechickencoop]

Apr 27, 2015 20:33:34 GMT -5 @ismellbooks said:

I'm further south, in northern VA, but it's all I've seen all night. After the protests Saturday, I was vocal in my support of the protestors. But this is different. So different. And heartbreaking. And counterproductive.

Yes. I can't even wrap my head around this. They closed schools, they have closed all businesses, placed curfues, it's just...ugh. I mean the family can't even fucking grieve today. I don't understand. The rioting groups just took responsibility for this huge fire of this building under construction that's going on right now. I just do not understand why.

[zombiesquad]

Yep, nationwide and the nation is watching. Regardless of the reason, it doesn't justify destruction to property and endangering the lives of others. Prayers for your city and the people of Baltimore.

[mosdub]

I am way up north but it's even on our local news. How scary, I can't even imagine the panic and fear you all must be feeling. I hope the violence subsides and real solutions come into the light soon.

[pibblemom]

Please stay safe. I was working all weekend so hadn't heard anything but I know today it seems to have erupted as national news. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved, it must be so frightening to be so nearby.

[onesweetworld]

I read about it on Facebook. Baltimore is one of my favorite places my heart breaks for all. Stay safe!

[mishy2010]

I hate giving out personal info but I live in the county next to Baltimore and work in a suburb. It's terrifying what is happening. It's infuriating that I'm watching my city burn. People from here have a huge sense of home town pride. This is shameful.

[stephiestark]

It is on Rachel Maddow right now. Very difficult to watch.

[♪♫choppinbroccoli♫♪]

So sorry to anyone in the area. Fucking scary.

[mosdub]

Apr 27, 2015 20:42:24 GMT -5 @ismellbooks said:

I don't believe many of those rioting care about Freddie Gray (or Mike Brown, or Eric Garner) at all, and that's what's most damaging about what's happening. There are real, serious injustices being done in this country every day, but all anyone will be talking about tomorrow is the fire, and the riots, and the violence.

I didn't want to "love" this, but very well put.  I think it will be important for the media and society to make a distinction between those participating in the peaceful protests and those who are taking advantage the situation.  

[helloerrbody]

I'm so sorry. I get so upset when people act like this in these situations. My family is in St. Louis and they were terrified with those riots last year. Stay safe.

[thechickencoop]

Apr 27, 2015 20:40:47 GMT -5 mishy2010 said:

I hate giving out personal info but I live in the county next to Baltimore and work in a suburb. It's terrifying what is happening. It's infuriating that I'm watching my city burn. People from here have a huge sense of home town pride. This is shameful.

Hugs to you too lady. It really is sickening. I've never seen anything like this before and thinking about even the aftermath is just so sad. It's just devastating.

[teraiin]

Apr 27, 2015 20:47:24 GMT -5 ♪♫choppinbroccoli♫♪ said:

So sorry to anyone in the area. Fucking scary.

+1


It's all over the news here. It's so sad and scary...

[almachs0786]

The nation is watching, I've been watching from TX all weekend. I don't have a lot to offer other than I'm sorry that this is happening. Stay safe, prayers to you, your friends and loved ones, and to your city.

[rivers and roads]

I've been following this all weekend and it's sickening. We used to live around the area and still have so many friends who are in Baltimore. It's very scary. It keeps being said, but I think "these aren't protestors, these are rioters" resonates. There is no message being sent with these people, and it makes me sick that the peaceful protestors and the family have to deal with THIS instead of anything remotely productive.
Just sick.

Stay safe.

[notthedroids]

I'm so saddened by all of this. Stay safe.

[thechickencoop]

Ugh H just told me he's meeting one of their suppliers at his shop tomorrow morning in Baltimore before he heads OOT. It's not immediately downtown but close. Ugh. I'm just hoping he gets in and out quickly.

[housecarder]

Apr 27, 2015 21:13:13 GMT -5 thechickencoop said:

Ugh H just told me he's meeting one of their suppliers at his shop tomorrow morning in Baltimore before he heads OOT. It's not immediately downtown but close. Ugh. I'm just hoping he gets in and out quickly.

T&P that your H is in and out quickly and safely.

[valie]

Holy shit. Just messaged my friend at Johns Hopkins. Stay safe!

[juliayadda]

Awful. Stay safe.

[Deleted]

hey thechickencoop - My cousin lives in federal hill. I hope all of your friends and family are ok.

[brettanomyces]

Your neighbors up here in Canada are watching also. I only caught a couple minutes because I was working, but it's heartbreaking to see what's happening. I'm so sorry.

[thechickencoop]

@wallflwr926, I hope your cousin stays safe. And thanks everyone :/ I just have never seen anything like this. They set fire to a car in the center of an intersection and then people were just all walking by, throwing shit on it, other cars were circling, it's amazing what people are capable of.

[MissMusic]

Apr 27, 2015 20:42:24 GMT -5 @ismellbooks said:

I don't believe many of those rioting care about Freddie Gray (or Mike Brown, or Eric Garner) at all, and that's what's most damaging about what's happening. There are real, serious injustices being done in this country every day, but all anyone will be talking about tomorrow is the fire, and the riots, and the violence.

[MissMusic]

We are hearing about this in GA. Please stay safe and far away from the insanity.

[ttcminicofer]

Be safe!! I have been watching this all day! It is insane and completely unnecessary! I hope it ends soon

[summerdonna]

MH and I were watching this on the news last night and it is really scary. It is one thing to have peaceful protests but this is quite another. Violence is never the answer and it makes me sick watching this unfold on TV. We watched these idiots taking selfies in front of a torn up car which is disgusting. Stay safe and I am keeping you in my thoughts.

[14joa31]

mishy2010 thechickencoop - hey neighbors! I live in Baltimore County - my phone was blowing up all night from worried friends/family. All of the rioting occurred in low-income neighborhoods where it's hard to get businesses to invest in the community in the first place. Now I bet a lot of those businesses will close or move out, and those communities will be in an even worse position economically. It is just too much stupidity. And the Mayor's speech was underwhelming, at best.

Freddie Gray's family asked that there be no demonstrations on the day of his funeral - and this is how some folks responded. It's disgusting.