Drew Angerer/Getty ImagesAll of the stars of The Wire may not necessarily have grown up in Baltimore—but they remain a Baltimore family nonetheless.
Series creator and former Baltimore Sun reporter David Simon (who did grow up there) and some of the actors from the critically revered HBO show are speaking out in the wake of widespread rioting across West Baltimore that erupted after the funeral earlier today for Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old man who died after suffering a severed spine while in city police custody.
Protests started over the weekend but escalated quickly on Monday. A 10 p.m. curfew has been called and CNN reports that at least 27 people have been arrested so far. At least 15 police officers have been reported injured.
The increasing violence, which has also left several police officers injured, prompted Gov. Larry Hogan to declare a state of emergency and activate the Maryland National Guard. The Orioles-White Sox game scheduled for tonight at Camden Yards was also called off as a precaution. On Saturday, fans were informed during the ninth inning that they couldn't leave the ballpark due to a demonstration outside, but by the time the game ended in extra innings, the gates were opened.
"Yes, there is a lot to be argued, debated, addressed," Simon wrote in a post on his website, The Audacity of Despaire. "And this moment, as inevitable as it has sometimes seemed, can still, in the end, prove transformational, if not redemptive for our city. Changes are necessary and voices need to be heard. All of that is true and all of that is still possible, despite what is now loose in the streets.
"But now—in this moment—the anger and the selfishness and the brutality of those claiming the right to violence in Freddie Gray's name needs to cease. There was real power and potential in the peaceful protests that spoke in Mr. Gray's name initially, and there was real unity at his homegoing today. But this, now, in the streets, is an affront to that man's memory and a dimunition of the absolute moral lesson that underlies his unnecessary death.
"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."
"Baltimore. These are not protestors. These are criminals disrespectful of the wishes of the family and people of good will," tweeted Wendell Pierce, who played Detective "Bunk" Moreland on The Wire.
Added Andre Royo, who played Bubbles: "To my Beloved city Baltimore..I feel your pain. Stand up..rise UP without breaking down! Discipline not Destruction. #VictorynotVictims."
But the concern didn't stop with those associated with what along with Homicide is considered the show about Baltimore...
Carson Daly, unfortunately, attracted nothing but scorn with his first tweet, which he deleted moments later.
"Really sucks to see these lawless looters ruining the great city of @Baltimore," he initially wrote. "This isn't protest, this is a violence attack on your OWN city."
After deleting, he followed up with, "Not worth all the hate. This whole thing is sad to watch. All of it. I hope no more people get hurt that's all."
And more stars continued to weigh in from around the country, in New York, L.A. and beyond: