The Wire actors plea for peace from Baltimore protesters
CBC News | Posted: April 28, 2015 2:25 PM | Last Updated: April 28, 2015
Demonstrations against the death of Freddie Gray turned violent Monday afternoon
Some of the cast of Baltimore-set crime show The Wire are asking protestors to demonstrate peacefully at rallies protesting the death of Freddie Gray.
The protests turned violent Monday afternoon, prompting the arrival of U.S. National Guard troops to the city and the imposition of a week-long curfew.
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The show's creator, David Simon, posted a message about the unfolding situation in Baltimore on his website.
Simon acknowledges that "changes are necessary and voices need to be heard," but admonishes those who have turned violent. He accuses the protestors who are using Gray's death as a claim to violence of being angry, selfish and brutal.
"This, now, in the streets, is an affront to that man's memory and a diminution of the absolute moral lesson that underlies his unnecessary death," he wrote.
"If you can't seek redress and demand reform without a brick in your hand, you risk losing this moment for all of us in Baltimore. Turn around. Go home. Please."
Some of the cast, who took to Twitter to express their feelings about the violent turn the protests have taken, seemed to reflect Simon's position.
Wendell Pierce, who played Detective William Moreland during the show's five-season run, called those committing violent acts "criminals."
He offered more peaceful alternatives that he considered to be great displays of rage, including going to the Department of Justice and demanding a meeting with Attorney General Loretta Lynch on her first day in office on Monday.
Sonja Sohn, who played Detective Shakima Greggs, retweeted multiple comments on Baltimore. The majority of her tweets focused on what she presented as the source of the problem: "systemic racist oppression."
Andre Royo, who played an informant and drug addict known as Bubbles, said he felt the pain of the people in his city, but asked them not to destroy it.
Tray Chaney, who played a drug dealer known as Poot, also appealed to the people of Baltimore.