A series of riots broke out in Baltimore Monday afternoon shortly after the funeral of Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old black man who died of a spinal injury apparently suffered in police custody. The riots resulted in more than 250 arrests and injuries to at least twenty police officers Monday night going into Tuesday. A citywide curfew went into effect Tuesday night. Some unruly protesters defied curfew, and police resorted to using smoke canisters and pepper balls in an attempt to disperse the crowd. But for the most part, the curfew has been largely successful, with ten arrests in the city by midnight. Police earlier used bullhorns to remind residents of the curfew, which was to last until 5:00 a.m. Wednesday. Certain exceptions would be allowed, including for going to and from work and medical emergencies. According to Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, the 10:00 p.m. curfews are to continue for one week and could be extended, as necessary. A 9:00 p.m. curfew was already in effect for children 14 and younger. Over 2,000 National Guardsmen were deployed to the city after Maryland Governor Larry Hogan proclaimed a state of emergency. President Barack Obama stated that there was “no excuse” for the violence, looting and arson. Public schools in Baltimore are scheduled to re-open Wednesday after being closed Tuesday.
