BALTIMORE (AP) - Baltimore Mayor Bernard “Jack” Young decided against imposing a citywide curfew as a large group of people marched downtown peacefully Sunday and the city did not see the kind of destruction and violence witnessed in other protests around the country.
The Baltimore Sun reports that police and city leaders said they remained vigilant as protests over the death of George Floyd continue across the country. Floyd, a handcuffed black man, died last week in Minneapolis after a police officer pinned him down and kneeled on his neck for more than eight minutes as he pleaded for air. The officer has been fired and charged with murder.
“If you’re coming to Baltimore to protest peacefully, we welcome you. But if you’re coming to Baltimore to throw bricks at storefront windows or destroy police vehicles, you’re going to find yourself in a jail cell. That’s a promise,” Young said.
Protests resumed Monday in Baltimore, according to The Baltimore Sun.
Protest organizers have been seen to condemn violence, shouting at those who throw glass bottles and otherwise disrupt the peaceful demonstrations. Baltimore Pastor Westley West led a small march Monday morning near the Inner Harbor, chanting, “Hands up, don’t shoot!”
Crowds began to gather Monday evening to mark a fourth day of protests. Officials closed streets into downtown Baltimore as thousands of people converged.
On Saturday, cellphone videos captured demonstrators reprimanding agitators in the crowd who threw water bottles at police. On Sunday, a crowd chased away a man who started to cause damage along the streets.
“We were a national example of what it looks like to engage in passionate protesting without widespread breaking of the law,” Young said.
Floyd’s name was invoked by Malik Williams, 20, as he led a march Sunday evening.
“We’re out here for justice and peace. We’re not out here to hurt,” Williams said.
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