Donald Trump came under fire Tuesday for his comments concerning the uprisings in Baltimore. The remarks that most got the wealthy businessman in hot water included blaming President Barack Obama for the conflicts which arose in the city Monday and referring to protestors as “thugs.”
“Our great African American President hasn't exactly had a positive impact on the thugs who are so happily and openly destroying Baltimore!” he tweeted Tuesday.
A few hours later, the billionaire followed up with, “President Obama, you have a big job to do. Go to Baltimore and bring both sides together. With proper leadership, it can be done! Do it.”
President Obama, you have a big job to do. Go to Baltimore and bring both sides together. With proper leadership, it can be done! Do it.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump)
April 28, 2015
People responded on social media calling Trump “so very rude and racist,” as one respondent tweeted.
@realDonaldTrump so very rude and racist very disappointed in you Mr. Trump
— Me. I Am JoJo (@dishinwitJoJo)
April 28, 2015
@realDonaldTrump you're an idiot. What would you do differently and what does being black have to do with it?
— Zachary Webb (@zachwwbb)
April 28, 2015
Protesters took to the street Monday, the day of the funeral of black youth Freddie Gray who died last week after receiving neck injuries while in police custody. Demonstrators have lead peaceful protests all week voicing their anger and frustration about Gray's death, and the larger issues of systemic racism within the police department.
On Monday, protests took a different turn as police attacked protestors. Police were caught on camera throwing rocks at protesters, while some protesters also threw rocks and started fires.
Video: Cops in Baltimore caught throwing rocks back at protesters before the crowd fights back #FreddieGray http://t.co/86TQ03DqJK
— AFRICA IS A COUNTRY (@AfricasaCountry)
April 28, 2015
Organizations and people on the ground have urged the public to focus on why they are protesting, not how.
“How disappointing it is to have people more focused on HOW we're crying rather than WHY we're crying,” wrote Baltimore resident and community activist Dr. Heber Brown on Twitter Monday.
How disappointing it is to have people more focused on HOW we're crying rather than WHY we're crying. #FreddieGray #RespectabilityPolitics
— Dr. Heber Brown III (@HeberBrown)
April 27, 2015
#FreddieGray wasn’t an isolated incident. Police killed at least 6 people in Baltimore last year. None were white. #BaltimoreUprising
— Occupy Wall Street (@OccupyWallStNYC)
April 28, 2015
Still absolutely NO INDICATION that the @BaltimorePolice intend to offer ANY reasonable explanation for who killed #FreddieGray
— Shaun King (@ShaunKing)
April 28, 2015
Baltimore police seem to have a habit of doing what they did to #FreddieGray. https://t.co/5LVQfVu3S3
— Christopher. (@ChrisIsSoGreat)
April 28, 2015
Trump also blamed police for the uprisings in the city Monday, not for their hostility against protesters or for systemic racism, but for their lack of aggression against demonstrators.
“Wow, 15 policemen (sic) hurt in Baltimore, some badly! Where is the National Guard. Police must get tough, and fast! Thugs must be stopped,” he tweeted.
Wow, 15 policemen hurt in Baltimore, some badly! Where is the National Guard. Police must get tough, and fast! Thugs must be stopped.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump)
April 28, 2015
Blatant and rampant property destruction in Baltimore as the police stand by and watch. Should be a lesson on how NOT to handle riots. SAD!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump)
April 28, 2015
Mayor of Baltimore, Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, has also been criticized for referring to protesters as “thugs.”
“Too many people have invested in building up this city to allow thugs to tear it down,” she tweeted, which garnered many responses on social media.
“If the judicial system were prosecuting, sentencing & jailing cops who murder unarmed fleeing citizens.Wd this be?” asked one respondent on Twitter.
@MayorSRB @AntonioFrench If the judicial system were prosecuting, sentencing & jailing cops who murder unarmed fleeing citizens.Wd this be?
— The Black Files (@TheBlackFiles)
April 28, 2015
Kids are thugs? #girlbye RT @MayorSRB: Too many people have invested in building up this city to allow thugs to tear it down.
— Dominique Warren (@DomoWarren)
April 28, 2015
@MayorSRB by thugs you mean police right?
— Mr Happy (@JoeyCracked)
April 28, 2015
The mayor has issued a 10 p.m. curfew in the city, due to takeeffectTuesday, and called in the nationalguard. According to CNN, 1,500 NationalGuardtroops are on their way to Baltimore.
According to officials in Baltimore, more than 200 people were arrested during Monday's protests. So far however, no one has been charged or held responsible for Gray's death.
Latest from the jail is 170 arrested. Most waiting on release decision. If they have to see judge for bail review, won't be until tomorrow.
— Ian Duncan (@iduncan)
April 28, 2015
Since yesterday afternoon, 202 people have been arrested in Baltimore, mayor's office tells me. @baltimoresun
— Yvonne Wenger (@yvonnewenger)
April 28, 2015
City of Baltimore says they will review video & hold protestors accountable. Can they review video & hold #FreddieGray killers accountable?!
— Chris Rock (@ozchrisrock)
April 28, 2015
Despite the controversy around recent protests, people across the city have shown little evidence that they will give up fighting for justice. People came together to organize major clean ups in various parts of the city Tuesday, while a Peace Walk is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. local time.