Baltimore Riots Celebrity Reactions #Baltimoreuprising

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Following the public funeral services for Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old black man who died from spinal injuries while in police custody, violent and nonviolent protests broke out in Baltimore on April 27. The dramatic events caused Governor Larry Hogan to declare a state of emergency in the Maryland city, and graphic video clips and images from Baltimore have been on TV and online nonstop. Consequently, many people used social media platforms to voice their opinions, and several celebrities joined and started their own conversations.

Actor and activist Jesse Williams (Grey's Anatomy), who has never been one to shy away from speaking up and out about race relations and police brutality, has been very vocal about the protests. He essentially wrote an essay summarizing the history of rioting, and also addressed the selective media coverage of the events. Similarly, hip-hop artist Talib Kweli had a lot to say on Monday night — focusing on understanding the exhaustion and rage felt by the young protestors, but also promoting peace and encouraging a less violent way to create change and appropriately abolish systemic problems. Jesse Williams

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There is nothing "black" about rioting. How do you think we got all this land?
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) April 28, 2015

The reaction to oppression has always been spun & marketed as validation for the status quo.
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) April 28, 2015

You want us to condemn black folks being violent against PROPERTY but you NEVER condemn police killing actual PEOPLE. #Explain #JustTry
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) April 28, 2015

Talib Kweli

I support peaceful protest. I don't support fucktards who fall for mainstream media propping up "riot" as the goal of protest.
— Talib Kweli Greene (@TalibKweli) April 28, 2015

Police violence caused "riots." You wanna stop riots? stand up against police brutality that is killing people of color indiscriminately.
— Talib Kweli Greene (@TalibKweli) April 28, 2015

And the ugliest truth is without "riots" many of you would not give a fuck about any of these systemic problems at all. Swallow that whole.
— Talib Kweli Greene (@TalibKweli) April 28, 2015

Meek Mill

cameras are finally bringing to light what's been going on for years! So imagine the lies that's been told that destroyed black families!
— Meek Mill (@MeekMill) April 28, 2015

John Legend

Nonviolence as Compliance in Baltimore http://t.co/f7DXqaqTeD
— John Legend (@johnlegend) April 28, 2015

Other celebrities simply, yet effectively, shared sympathy and concern for Baltimore and its residents. Amandla Stenberg

My prayers go out to all my brothers & sisters in Baltimore. This battle is hard but crucial. The revolutionary youth will change the world.
— Amandla Stenberg (@amandlastenberg) April 28, 2015

Kelly Rowland

Praying for Baltimore. #PrayForPeace #DC http://t.co/raOdytl4u5 pic.twitter.com/nHEEvOF3av
— KELENDRIA ROWLAND (@KELLYROWLAND) April 28, 2015

Ice Cube

Then and now. pic.twitter.com/3uDnTqWwYZ
— Ice Cube (@icecube) April 27, 2015

Missy Elliott

Watching the news I'm speechless I'm saddened my heart is heavy...
— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) April 27, 2015

Cedric the Entertainer

Hate to see Baltimore going thru what my hometown of Ferguson went thru. Change is necessary, but violence and destruction is not the answer
— CedricTheEntertainer (@CedEntertainer) April 27, 2015

Kevin Hart

What's going on in Baltimore is honestly hurting my heart!!!! I'm praying for the city in a whole....I promote Peace not War!!!!
— Kevin Hart (@KevinHart4real) April 28, 2015

Zendaya