As tensions between the Fraternal Order of Police and City Hall rose this summer in the aftermath of the “Baltimore Uprising,” Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake fired Police Commissioner Anthony Batts in June and appointed Deputy Police Commissioner Kevin Davis as his interim replacement.
A committee vote was held tonight to name Davis commissioner permanently, although it will take a vote of the full city council to confirm him. Nevertheless, the building was packed with protesters who wanted to ensure their voices were heard.
Our voices MUST be heard #BaltimoreUprising #bccbloc
— GoodKidsMadCity Bmore (@GKMCBmore) October 15, 2015
Baltimore police posted an update on the situation to Facebook.
Update to protest situation at Baltimore City Hall- https://t.co/bK0v1Eetd8
— Baltimore Police (@BaltimorePolice) October 15, 2015
Protesters gathered inside of City Hall during tonight’s confirmation hearing for Commissioner Kevin Davis. The protesters were non-violent; however, they refused to leave City Hall. At this time, several protesters remain inside of City Hall. It appears that there are less than 50 protesters gathered inside of a balcony area in City Hall.
The Baltimore Police Department is monitoring the situation.
Protesters also posted their own update in the form of demands.
Protesters @ Baltimore City Hall right now who disrupted @CommishKDavis appointment hearing issued demands this week http://t.co/qnJdZfwfDR
— Kevin Rector ☀️ (@RectorSun) October 15, 2015
Baltimore Sun reporter Kevin Rector summarized the list of demands detailed in the aforementioned open letter:
The coalition calls for a ban on military-style police equipment such as armored vehicles and rubber bullets, and for “riot gear” to be used only as a last resort to protect officer safety. They demand that police officers wear badges and name tags at all times, and for media and legal observers to be allowed to “do their jobs freely.”
The group also calls for police to respect as “sacred ground” several locations identified by the group as “safe houses” for protesters — not to be entered without a warrant and never entered with sealed or so-called “no knock” warrants. They call for alternate routes to be created for commuters and other travelers to get around protests, but also call on police to “allow protests to take and occupy larger and more disruptive spaces than would normally be tolerated,” and for “longer periods of time than would normally be tolerated in the interest of constitutional rights.”
One of those spaces occupied and disrupted was city hall.
Hearing went from 3 hour love fest to last hour dominated by activists & then shut down; now Davis' cell phone number has been tweeted out
— Justin Fenton (@justin_fenton) October 15, 2015
Members of @bccbloc have decided to stay in City Hall until @CommishKDavis meets with them.
— Adam Jackson (@SmartBlackMan) October 15, 2015
It's difficult to describe the chaos of this vote. This is shortly afterward, as Davis and councilmembers left. pic.twitter.com/HV1cisZGLF
— Colin Campbell ☀️ (@cmcampbell6) October 15, 2015
BREAKING
The @CommishKDavis Confirmation Hearing Completely Shut Down
By #BlackLivesMatter Baltimore Groups#BLM pic.twitter.com/2VMgXWQVPj— Harris from the Post (@rousseau_ist) October 15, 2015
WE ARE OFFICIALLY STARTING OUR OCCUPATUON
WE ARE CALLING FOR PEOPLE TO GATHER ON THE LAWN OF CITY HALL UNTIL OUR DEMANDS ARE MET— GoodKidsMadCity Bmore (@GKMCBmore) October 15, 2015
.@baltimorepolice have locked us on the balcony and barred us from using restrooms and ordering food.
— Kwame Rose (@kwamerose) October 15, 2015
They have blocked the bathrooms and won't let us releive ourselves. We guess we'll use the city council chambers ??? pic.twitter.com/lRv1jVgTLZ
— Baltimore BLOC (@BmoreBloc) October 15, 2015
There are ppl here who want to give the protesters -some of whom are under 18- food and make sure they get home ok pic.twitter.com/6eLXVCu6I1
— Kevin Rector ☀️ (@RectorSun) October 15, 2015
Ay @BaltimorePolice, we in here, and we ain't going no where. @BmoreBloc @bccbloc @LBSBaltimore @AlgebraProject & mo pic.twitter.com/PZw9ACzmXO
— Baltimore BLOC (@BmoreBloc) October 15, 2015
Dear BPD: don't you dare mistreat our kids. I know it's late. Stay professional, act wisely. We're watching. #baltimoreuprising
— SuperGrover (@fuzzlaw) October 15, 2015
We have nothing to lose but our chains. #FrankTalk pic.twitter.com/tS1I7fqhyZ
— Baltimore BLOC (@BmoreBloc) October 15, 2015
This is open season pic.twitter.com/6ZuNDSliwZ
— Baltimore BLOC (@BmoreBloc) October 15, 2015
Police spokesman says as of now, all nonviolent, no arrests, no injuries. Protesters refusing to leave. Would not comment on police strategy
— Kevin Rector ☀️ (@RectorSun) October 15, 2015
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