The Baltimore Police Department may very well be housing some truly violent brutes. According to the State's Attorney for Baltimore, Marilyn Mosby, they are. Late last week she filed a variety of charges against six officers involved in Freddie Grey's arrest ranging from assault to homicide.
Some observers believe the charges are politically motivated. Others, like the Police Union, call her decision rash. Both are possible but irrelevant if the officers are guilty. (And obviously completely relevant if they are not.) The former accusation, however, seems a bit unreasonable primarily because she’s not a defense attorney but a prosecutor, and more times than not, prosecutors do not have the luxury of arguing a completely baseless case in court (unlike their counterparts). They must prove what they believe happened. Lawyers like Marilyn Mosby deal with evidence (facts) in order to establish truth (also factual). She must have something, in my opinion.
With that said -- Assuming she has a case and it's not beyond the pale for some cops in the BPD to act like deranged fascists, it might be worth asking the guys burning down Baltimore right now why on Earth they are doing all this in front of police. The protesters' behavior seriously begs the question: if the BPD really is as viciously brutal and racist as they allege, then wouldn't it make more sense to avoid police contact/not commit crimes than join a riot that incites the police and is, by the way, unlawful?
Side note to young Americans that have probably seen more riots on TV in their lifetime than Olympic opening ceremonies: A riot is never something to be applauded and certainly is not "legal". (Even if the Blackhawks win the Cup or a black man is shot by a white cop - there is never a reason to riot.) In fact, rioting is a serious crime. So is arson. Looting, too. There is not an "arson for justice" or a “stolen property for peace” exception in the criminal code. These activities are never lawful because they are always dangerous, destructive, and unfair.
They are also unnecessary. Americans have a right to peaceably assemble -- people do it all the time. I realize that lighting buildings on fire and stealing other people’s stuff may sound like fun, but it probably is not. It is violent, chaotic, crowded, smoky, and ultimately useless. (I heard that it contributes to climate change and is bad for the oceans, too!)
So if not only for the free loot and mesmerizing fire display, I do wonder, what is the actual point of a riot? Every week it seems like there's a new one. What’s with the upsurge in popularity? Is rioting going to become a profession or something? Oh, yeah -- who won?
