A massive African-American riot in Baltimore

A riot by African-Americans broke out in Baltimore, Maryland, some 60 kilometers northeastern of Washington, spreading plunder, arson and violence across the region. It is known that five to 10 Korean stores near Mondawmin Mall in western Baltimore were inflicted with property damage.

The riot began when demonstrators flooded into the street after they attended the funeral of Freddie Gray (25) who died after suffering a spinal injury in police custody. Pelting rocks and bricks to the riot police, the demonstrators strongly protested against police violence and chanted out “judicial justice." As night approached, the protest provoked arson and plunder in nearby buildings. Some looted stores and automated teller machine, destroying police cars. Flame assumed to be arson was witnessed at two areas in downtown city. It is reported that 15 police officers were stoned to injury, one of who is said to be in a state of coma.

A local media reported that the riot is the largest of its kind since August 2014 when a massive violence occurred after a then-18-year-old African-American Michael Brown was shot to death by a white police officer in the city of Ferguson, Missouri.

As conditions worsen, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan declared the state of emergency at 8:30 p.m. on Monday and sent some 1,000 police officers and 1,500 national guards. A weeklong nighttime curfew and closing of schools were imposed. Baltimore Orioles’ home game was canceled and subway stations closed.

Some 2,000 Koreans are known to live in Baltimore. “Although it was reported that five to 10 stores in the neighborhood run by Koreans such as liquor stores were inflicted with property damage, it seems there is no damage to human as most of them left early,” said Korean consulate to Washington on Monday.

Earlier the day, a funeral was held at a Baptist Church in Baltimore attended by mourners for the late Gray. Having been arrested by police at downtown Baltimore, Gray had serious spinal injury and died on April 19, a week after the arrest without being given proper treatment. U.S. President Barack Obama paid his condolence by sending three White House staff but failed to prevent the riot from erupting.

zsh75@donga.com