The uprising in Baltimore has struck a chord with some local protestors, who are gathering Tuesday to rally at Chicago Police Department headquarters.
Word began spreading to demonstrators on Facebook to show up at 6 p.m. near 35th and Michigan Avenues for what they're calling “emergency action in solidarity with Baltimore."
Their message is personified on social media by a woman carrying a sign that reads "stop killing black people."
Chicago pastor Corey Brooks, is heading to Baltimore tonight to join ministers who want to stop the unrest – and he hopes the city of Chicago can learn from the disturbing violence.
“I think we're on the edge of something happening in Chicago,” Brooks told NBC Chicago. “I think we are one incident away from something like we're seeing in Baltimore.”
Overnight the riots in Baltimore escalated with mass looting and arson. The violence began shortly after the funeral for Freddie Gray, the 25-year-old man who suffered fatal injuries while in police custody last week.
Brooks is friends with reverend Jamal Bryant, who eulogized Gray. The young man's death triggered a backlash of anger that has spiraled out of control and Brooks' concern is that it will spread to other cities, like here in Chicago.
“[I’m heading to Baltimore] not only to help a good friend, but I want to go and experience and learn everything I possibly can to make sure this does not happen in Chicago and in our neighborhoods,” Brooks said.
He is planning to stay in Baltimore until Thursday, hoping that tensions will subside by then, but says he'll stay longer if needed.
Local
Schools were closed Tuesday in Baltimore because of the violence and a nightly curfew will go into effect tonight at 10 p.m. and run through the rest of the week.
