Community Calls For Peace After Mistrial In Porter Case
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- As a mistrial was declared Officer William Porter's trial, many community leaders are repeating a request for residents to stay calm, regardless of the result of the trial.
Marcus Washington has more on the call for peace by local communities.
After the mistrial was declared, people are gathering in Penn North but staying calm. Residents say they are unhappy with the result but they knew it was a possibility. Still, protests are peaceful.
Penn North residents stood next to each other, presenting a unified front. They say that's what they want to show the world.
"I was hoping this would be a pivotal point," said Ted, a former gang member and current community activist. "You find so many people that have been disconnected; they haven't felt they've had a voice."
"Wow," said one man. "It's unbelievable. All the evidence was there; it should have been handled much better than that."
"It wasn't really an emotion; it was more delay. We have to remember a delay is not a deny and we have five more trials after this," said one man. "Until it's done, you can still have your peaceful protests and your demonstrations; they're needed to shed light on the subject."
At Bethel AME church before the mistrial was declared, community leaders and gang members joined together calling for peace, something they've said for months. They say protesting is fine but they want it to be peaceful. Again, so far it has been.
"It's not about going crazy; it's not about looting or burning things down. It's about sticking together in a time of need," said one. "As millennials, let's stick together and show how strong we are and how intelligent we are."
For nearly a week, community leaders, clergy, activists and gang members have been spreading the message of peaceful protest and keeping calm.
"We can use this and we can take this as learning lessons and go through this so that history no longer repeats itself from city to city," said another. "Let's start here. Baltimore can be a catalyst for change."
For many, it's about learning from the past and protecting the future.
"Anger, frustration, police brutality---that's all we get," said one. "This time, let's try to do it better. Let's not destroy a community; let's uplift the community."
Many of the community leaders say that they will be throughout communities throughout Baltimore, making sure things stay peaceful.
