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[h=4]Schools open, streets quiet in battered Baltimore[/h]Schools reopened and streets were calm in Baltimore on Wednesday after an encouraging night that saw little of the angry chaos that has devastated Charm City in recent days.
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Ten people were arrested in Baltimore Tuesday after the first night of a week long curfew began. After some early "aggresive" behavior as described by police, the city is stable. Protests over Freddie Gray's death were largely peaceful Tuesday. VPC
Members of the the National Guard monitor activity at Baltimore's Inner Harbor on April 29, 2015.(Photo: Mark Makela, Getty Images)
Schools reopened and streets were calm in Baltimore on Wednesday after an encouraging night that saw little of the angry chaos that has devastated Charm City in recent days.
More than a week of protests has focused national attention on the death of Freddie Gray, the young black man who suffered a severe spinal injury and died in police custody.
One night after violent protests that saw buildings burned, stores looted and more than 20 police officers injured, Baltimore enjoyed a night of relative calm Tuesday. Police and National Guard troops dispersed protesters and a curfew took effect without major disturbances.
Ten people were arrested Tuesday night, seven of them for violating curfew, two for looting and one for disorderly conduct, Police Commissioner Anthony Batts said in a news conference. The numbers are a big improvement over the 200-plus arrests made Monday night.
Schools CEO Gregory Thornton welcomed students back to school with an open letter thanking "the thousands and thousands of students who made good decisions (Monday) and avoided the violence and law-breaking."
The letter also warned that students who did participate in Monday's violence will be held accountable.
"Principals and teachers are planning activities that will help students learn from the past days' events," Thornton said. "Counselors, social workers, and psychologists will be on hand to support students' emotional needs."
Still, the city was far from normal. A state of emergency remained in place, and the 10 p.m. curfew will remain all week. National Guard troops roam the streets. The Baltimore Orioles will play their Major League Baseball game Wednesday afternoon in an empty stadium.
USA TODAY
The part of the Baltimore protests you haven't seen
Investigations into Gray's death and the violence it sparked are going forward. Baltimore's police commissioner plans to present a report on the case to prosecutors by Friday, but it was unclear if or when the police will release any of the information.
The Justice Department has also opened a civil rights investigation into Gray's death, but has not indicated when any report would be issued. Department officials have met with Gray's family.
The department issued a statement saying officials also had "participated in several meetings (Tuesday) with city leadership, law enforcement, faith leaders, young people and members of the community."
An autopsy is being conducted by the state medical examiner. Gov. Larry Hogan told The Baltimore Sun that a preliminary report would be released "as soon as possible," but that a complete report would take several weeks.
Police investigators are scheduled to turn over the findings from their probe to Baltimore State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby on Friday. Six officers have been suspended with pay pending an investigation that could result in criminal charges.
Gray died April 19, one week after being arrested and suffering a severe spinal injury. After Gray's funeral Monday, protests ostensibly against police violence quickly deteriorated into devastating riots. Bands of looters, some armed with crowbars, roamed the city, hurling rocks at police, destroying patrol cars, smashing store windows and torching buildings.
On Tuesday night, it looked as though more violent clashes between police and protesters were in store when members of the crowd hurled objects at police and officers responded by firing pepper pellets and smoke canisters into the crowd.
Yet, the tension quickly eased as the remaining crowd began to disperse and the police maintained a measured response. A police sergeant broadcast a plea to the thousands of people who had gathered at the intersection of West North and Pennsylvania.
While some in the crowd left, many remained until the final moments or vowed to stay even as police in riot gear advanced down the street. Dana Briscoe, 33, said he didn't think police had the resources to lock everyone up for violating the curfew. Briscoe, who works for a cell phone company, said he'd stay to make a statement.
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USA TODAY's Rem Rieder and Michael Wolff discuss the responsibility of the media when covering a polarizing story like the riots in Baltimore, Maryland. (USA NEWS, USA TODAY)
"The whole point of the protest is bucking the system," Briscoe said. "It's a part of history."
Thomas Plummer, 28, a tow truck driver, tied a t-shirt over his face to protect himself if police turned to tear gas and pepper spray to disperse the crowd. He said he planned to challenge the curfew because he wanted to show that police don't have all the power.
"It shows them who is in control, who has the power," he said. "They need to remember they work for us."
RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMOREDamage in Baltimore as rioters set fires, loot stores | 03:00As the sun came up in Baltimore Tuesday morning, the damage left behind by violent riots could be clearly seen. Buildings were burned and stores were destroyed. Protests started over the death of a black man, Freddie Gray, in police custody. VPC
RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMOREBaltimore shaken by violence, destruction | 01:21Residents of Baltimore are dealing with the damage left behind by rioters who looted stores and set buildings on fire after Freddie Gray was laid to rest. Gray suffered a fatal spinal cord injury while in police custody. VPC
RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMORERaw: Baltimore firefighters put out blaze at looted CVS | 01:01Firefighters in Baltimore work to extinguish the flames and smoke at a looted CVS. VPC
RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMOREVideo of Baltimore protests captured on city streets | 00:49Violence erupted in Baltimore as protesters clashed with police, throwing objects and rocks at officers. Check out these videos from social media users who captured some intense moments on the streets of the city. VPC
RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMOREFreddie Gray's family calls for peace | 00:56The family of Freddie Gray asked people in Baltimore, Maryland to stop rioting and looting. Riots shook the city after Gray's funeral on Monday. (April 28) AP
RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMOREReligious leaders try to quell Baltimore violence | 01:02Religious leaders gathered in their churches Monday evening to pray for those affected by the riots in Baltimore. VPC
RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMOREMd. governor 'glad' Baltimore mayor 'finally' requested aid | 02:01Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan declared State of Emergency and activated the National Guard Monday, saying that he is glad that Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rowlings-Blake "finally" requested aid from the state. VPC
RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMOREBaltimore mayor defends city's response to violence | 01:42Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rowlings-Blake had some harsh words for both the rioters who looted stores and set buildings on fire, as well as for media who asked her some tough questions about the city's response to violence. VPC
RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMOREProtesters loot, set police car on fire in Baltimore | 01:02Protesters set cars on fire and looted stores as protests over the death of Baltimore's Freddie Gray turned violent. VPC
RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMORERaw: Looters target stores in Baltimore | 01:54Rioters in the streets of Baltimore, Maryland are looting local stores. (April 27) AP
RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMOREBaltimore Mayor: 'Thugs' are destroying our city | 01:25Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rowlings-Blake says she is outraged that the community is being destroyed by "thugs" after demonstrations over Freddie Gray's death turned violent Monday. At least 15 Baltimore police officers were injured. VPC
RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMORERaw: CVS store up in flames | 01:03Cars and at least one store have been set on fire and businesses have been looted in Baltimore. The riot started just hours after the funeral for Freddie Gray, who died in police custody. (April 27) AP
RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMOREMD Police: 'Outrageous criminals' attacked cops | 01:19Baltimore Police Department officials say a group of 'lawless individuals' attacked officers in the street. 7 officers reportedly have serious injuries and one is currently unconscious. (April 27) AP
RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMOREBaltimore protests halted during Freddie Gray's wake | 01:13A wake was held in Baltimore for Freddie Gray on Sunday. Protesters took a break from their marching, at the request of Gray's family, and many went to pay their respects. VPC
RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMOREFreddie Gray attorney urges end to violence | 01:12The attorney for the family of Freddie Gray is calling on the community to end their focus on violence in the wake of Gray's death. Gray suffered a fatal spinal injury while in police custody. (April 27) AP
RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMOREMourners honor life of Freddie Gray at funeral | 02:11Thousands of mourners turned out for the funeral of Freddie Gray who suffered from a fatal spinal injury while in police custody. (April 27) AP
RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMOREBaltimore mayor: 'This is our city' | 01:21Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake called on protesters Sunday to remain peaceful, a day after 34 people were arrested and six police officers sustained minor injuries in clashes over the death of Freddie Gray. (April 26) AP
RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMOREViolence erupts during freddie gray protests | 01:29Baltimore officials say outside "agitators" triggered some violent incidents that erupted during a mostly peaceful protest Saturday against the death of Freddie Gray. At least five police officers were injured and 34 people arrested. (April 26) AP
RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMOREFreddie Gray protest turns violent in Baltimore | 01:57Windows were smashed, police were pelted with bottles, and several protesters were arrested as a peaceful rally unraveled in Baltimore. Demonstrators were demanding justice for Freddie Gray, who was fatally injured in police custody. VPC
RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMOREThousands protest death of Freddie Gray in Baltimore | 02:07Protesters took to the streets of Baltimore on Saturday to express their outrage over the death of Freddie Gray. They marched one day after the Baltimore Police Department acknowledged that it failed to get Gray the necessary medical attention. VPC
RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMORECrowds gather for Baltimore protest | 00:58A crowd gathered in Baltimore's Sandtown neighborhood Saturday in advance of a bigger protest at City Hall. Demonstrators are protesting the death of an African-American who was fatally injured while in police custody. (April 25) AP
RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMOREMayor: Freddie Gray's death 'horribly tragic' | 01:10Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake vows to get to the bottom of the cause of Baltimore resident Freddie Gray's death, who was critically injured while in police custody. (April 24) AP
RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMOREFreddie Gray protesters arrested in Baltimore | 01:41Demonstrators took to the streets of Baltimore for a fifth day on Thursday to express their outrage over the death of Freddie Gray. Clashes between protesters and police ended with two arrests. VPC
RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMOREProtestors march through Baltimore streets | 01:03Demonstrators marched around Baltimore's city hall and onto city streets on Thursday protesting the death of Freddie Gray, a black man who died of a mysterious spinal injury he suffered after he was arrested by Baltimore police. (April 23) AP
RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMOREProtests heat up as hundreds rally for Freddie Gray | 00:56Hundreds of protesters continue to march in Baltimore and tensions with police are boiling up as protesters demand answers in the death of Freddie Gray. VPC
RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMOREFreddie Gray protester: 'Not an event, it's a movement' | 01:12Hundreds of protesters gathered in downtown Baltimore to protest the death of Freddie Gray who died of a severe spinal cord injury after police arrested him. VPC
RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMORETension heats up in Maryland after Freddie Gray's death | 01:17More protests are taking place in Baltimore as supporters of Freddie Gray pressed their demand for justice, and an explanation of how and why he died while in police custody. VPC
RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMORERaw: Protesters demand justice for Maryland man | 01:32Demonstrators who launched a week of protests to demand justice for a Baltimore man who died from a spinal injury he suffered while in police custody took to the streets Wednesday. (April 22) AP
RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMOREFreddie Gray's death sparks outrage, investigation | 01:21As demonstrators called for justice for Freddie Gray, Baltimore's mayor promised that the city would get answers to questions of how and why the 25-year-old suffered a fatal spinal injury while in police custody. VPC
RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMORERaw: MD rally held as probe is announced | 01:23The Justice Dept. said Tuesday it has opened an investigation into the death of a Freddie Gray, who died of spinal injuries he suffered during an arrest. This comes as rally is held for a call for justice. (April 21) AP
RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMOREBaltimore police: No answers in Freddie Gray death | 01:53Six Baltimore police officers have been suspended amid the ongoing investigation into the death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray.
Video provided by Newsy Newslook
RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMOREWitness said he heard Freddie Gray scream during arrest | 01:12Baltimore resident Harold Perry said he witnessed police officers arrest Freddie Gray and heard his cries for help. Gray died while in police custody of a severe spinal injury. VPC
RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMOREPolice: still don't know how suspect died | 01:53Baltimore police released videos Monday showing the arrest of a man who died of a severe spinal injury suffered in police custody. Six officers have been suspended, but investigators say they still don't know how it happened. (April 20) AP
RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMOREWhat happened while Freddie Gray was in police custody? | 01:46Freddie Gray died Sunday, one week after an encounter with Baltimore police.
Video provided by Newsy Newsy
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A little smoke and tear gas seemed like a minor inconvenience to Shawny Reese, 28, a nursing assistant and student, who served with the Army's 101st Airborne.
"I spent 15 months in Afghanistan. If I can't stand with my people for one night, I'm not worth anything," she said. "I want justice. I have a father, a brother. I don't want to be afraid for my men every day."
City officials are hopeful that this moment of relative calm after Monday's chaos will extend into the days ahead, aided by the presence of 2,000 National Guard troops and an additional 1,000 law enforcement officers.
On Wednesday, Hogan commended police, guard members, the mayor and other city officials for the easing of tensions. "It was a team effort," Hogan told CNN. "It was Maryland united."
Contributing: Doug Stanglin
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