Baltimore Riots: Locals say unrest is response to systemic racism

The streets of Baltimore were reportedly eerily quiet overnight as residents obeyed an all-night curfew enforced by 3,000 police and National Guard. 

The night before, the streets there became a riot scene following the funeral of Freddie Gray. He was a 25-year-old black man who died of his injuries a week after being taken into police custody. His family says that his larynx had been crushed, and his spinal cord nearly completely severed.

Monday's outrage at his death spilled into that night, lighting up the streets with fires. By Tuesday at dawn, the National Guard had arrived.

But as much as Freddie Gray's death has been this week's spark, it's clear the anger fueling this unrest has deeper, and wider roots... in a city racked by poverty, neglect and racial segregation.

Today, three people who live in the city of Baltimore, Maryland, joined us to share their thoughts and bring us more perspective.

• Marisela B. Gomez is an author, public health professional, and community activist in equitable and sustainable development with Social Health Concepts and Practice. And she joins us from the Middle East neighbourhood of Baltimore.
• Person Ablach has been attending demonstrations this past week as a volunteer medic.
• Meghann Victoria Harris is a school teacher at the Baltimore Design School which teaches mostly African American students. She has also attended the demonstrations. 

This segment was produced by The Current's Shannon Higgins, Sujata Berry and Sarah Grant.