While it’s still unclear exactly how Freddie Gray died, there seems to be no denying that Baltimore Police Department officers caused his death. Gray, 25, died on April 19 due to still-unknown spinal injuries that he seems to have sustained by the hands of police following his arrest a week earlier. Even, or maybe especially, without all the answers to questions surrounding his passing, Gray’s death is especially conspicuous in a year that has already churned out a string of high-profile killings of Black men by police.
Over the last several days protests in Baltimore have invited comparison to the fervor and outcry felt in Ferguson following the death of Michael Brown. In that case as well as far too many others before and since, members of the Hip Hop community have had reason to take to social media as a show of support, protest, and meditation.
Check out some responses to Gray’s death and current protests in Baltimore from rappers, producers, and singers below.
Young black folk have been FED disrespect the past 20yrs across the USA especially through culture.The GOVT not only allowed they backed it.
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) April 27, 2015
Baltimore doing what they suppose 2 be doing
— YG (@YG) April 27, 2015
Damn. Baltimore is getting outta control. I understand protests. I don't understand looting CVS. That's not honoring Freddie Grey.
— Bun B (@BunBTrillOG) April 27, 2015
This fool Wolf Blitzer on cnn acting like he shocked about what's goin on in Baltimore . When police kill black people what he expect?
— MC REN (@mcrencpt) April 27, 2015
Tell @MayorSRB the thugs are the ones who broke #FreddieGray's spine and voice box and murdered #TyroneWest
— Jasiri X (@jasiri_x) April 28, 2015
http://instagram.com/p/1_j_nQwyPd/?taken-by=wakaflockabsm
BALTIMORE STAY STRONG.
— still alive (@VicMensa) April 28, 2015
https://twitter.com/AZEALIABANKS/status/593004207197835264
https://twitter.com/AZEALIABANKS/status/592829425420468224
DX COMMUNITY