As Twitchy reported last week, a group of mostly young protesters refused to leave Baltimore City Hall until interim Police Commissioner Kevin Davis met with them to discuss their list of demands, such as the designation of “safe houses” for protesters that were to be treated as “sacred ground” by police, and for police to be more tolerant of “minor crimes,” such as having water bottles thrown at them.
The members of the #BaltimoreUprising eventually left in the middle of the night, arguing that police refused them access to restrooms and pizza deliveries.
That protest took place as a commission considered recommending that Davis, who served as deputy commissioner during the Freddie Gray riots, be made police commissioner permanently. Today the city council voted to approve Davis as protesters packed the building and marched in the streets.
City Council confirms Kevin Davis as police commissioner of Baltimore by a 12-1 vote. @councilmanmosby casts the lone "no" vote
— Luke Broadwater☀️ (@lukebroadwater) October 19, 2015
Protesters say @CommishKDavis agreed to address their demands today. @BaltimorePolice just sent this statement: pic.twitter.com/k3bHFCNI0e
— Kevin Rector ☀️ (@RectorSun) October 19, 2015
The statement, signed by Kevin Davis, reads:
Over the weekend, I met with grassroot protest organizers to discuss matters of mutual concern regarding police-protester interactions. We ultimately want the same thing: a safe and peaceful environment where citizens can exercise their Constitutional rights. We’ve taken steps to ensure a better flow of communications, and I look forward to a constructive and productive relationship moving forward.
Makayla Gilliam-Price, 17, BCC senior, founder @bccbloc, sit-in organizer fielding questions at Baltimore City Hall pic.twitter.com/rbYdMnPnUh
— Kevin Rector ☀️ (@RectorSun) October 19, 2015
Gilliam-Price says as a "17-yr-old black queer girl" in Baltimore, she can't vote and protest is her only voice.
— Kevin Rector ☀️ (@RectorSun) October 19, 2015
Gilliam-Price and Adam Jackson of @LBSBaltimore say @CommishKDavis agreed to all 19 demands (w a few tweaks) at meeting last night.
— Kevin Rector ☀️ (@RectorSun) October 19, 2015
A list of the 19 demands as delivered to Davis and Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake can be found here.
Gilliam-Price says "absolute disconnect" btwn @CommishKDavis stance at meeting and statement released today, feels "personally disrespected"
— Kevin Rector ☀️ (@RectorSun) October 19, 2015
The 19 demands from Baltimore protestors were re-worded to @CommishKDavis liking & still wasn't enough. #BaltimoreUprising #CityHallShutdown
— #RIPBassemMasri ? (@Delo_Taylor) October 19, 2015
I'm hearing that interim Police Commish, Kevin Davis has reneged on promises I heard him personally make to youth at my church last night
— Dr. Heber Brown III (@HeberBrown) October 19, 2015
Protesters filing into Baltimore City Hall now to chant, "no justice, no peace. If we don't get it shut it down." pic.twitter.com/gkotX9mwtS
— Kevin Rector ☀️ (@RectorSun) October 19, 2015
BREAKING: This is Baltimore City Hall right now: pic.twitter.com/fbSfd625ky
— Kevin Rector ☀️ (@RectorSun) October 19, 2015
More from demonstration inside Baltimore City Hall @cbsbaltimore pic.twitter.com/BbuhcHGIOk
— Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) October 19, 2015
Police give "second warning." Protesters appear to be leaving. Squad of officers following them out.
— Kevin Rector ☀️ (@RectorSun) October 19, 2015
Baltimore protesters outside now on the march. "Back up, back up, we want freedom, freedom." pic.twitter.com/VmjsvFxxzU
— Kevin Rector ☀️ (@RectorSun) October 19, 2015
"Send those killer cops to jail! The whole damn system is guilty as hell!" #Baltimore right now pic.twitter.com/UZPFODTeU7
— Kevin Rector ☀️ (@RectorSun) October 19, 2015
Time to block some traffic.
"The people, united, will never be defeated." #Baltimore pic.twitter.com/Zc6TiUT9nQ
— Kevin Rector ☀️ (@RectorSun) October 19, 2015
This pic of the #CityHallShutdown demonstrators is one of the better ones I've seen. Photo credit: @expandyourfocus pic.twitter.com/E3bFkTXIHM
— MacArthur For Baltimore (@BaltoSpectator) October 19, 2015
Pastors all over #Baltimore should be getting money together to bail our babies out of jail in the event they are arrested tonight.
— Dr. Heber Brown III (@HeberBrown) October 19, 2015
Babies? Kids? The babies interviewed below are 18 and 19 years old.
"It's clear the kids know what they want," says Mecca Verdell, 18, one of 16 arrested at sit-in last week who was back out tonight.
— Kevin Rector ☀️ (@RectorSun) October 19, 2015
"I wanted to come out to make sure that we stay active and keep pushing them," says Kevin Wellons, 19.
— Kevin Rector ☀️ (@RectorSun) October 19, 2015
"Politicians will say whatever and let things die, and let us die," Wellons said.
— Kevin Rector ☀️ (@RectorSun) October 19, 2015
It looks like protesters have decided not to risk arrest tonight.
Message was don't get arrested tonight, but no love for how @CommishKDavis & @BaltimorePolice handled today w/ warnings to get out of street
— Kevin Rector ☀️ (@RectorSun) October 19, 2015
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