As Porter Verdict Nears Officials Plea For Peaceful Protests
BALTIMORE (WJZ)--As the trial nears its end, preparations are now underway to prepare the city for possible protests and demonstrations in the wake of a verdict in the case.
WJZ's Derek Valcourt has the latest.
Protestors vow they are just getting started even as Officer William Porter's trial winds down
Though no one knows which way a verdict will go city officials aren't taking chances.
Temporary barriers used to block of streets and protected areas are already in place in front of police headquarters, some near City Hall, and at the courthouse.
City officials urging peace ahead of the verdict and warn violence and destruction will not be tolerated.
"We have protests every week almost every day in this city and we don't have any issues and that's what we expect after this verdict," said City Councilman Brandon Scott.
"A verdict that is not guilty that doesn't give us some jail time is going to make us angry," said Erica Alston, of the Penn North community.
Penn North community activist Erica Alston expects demonstrations no matter how the verdict goes, but she's among those pleading for peace, hoping the city will not see another episode like the April unrest.
"Although we know that that gave us a platform and a voice, we now understand, and I say we as a part of this community, we now understand that there's a price to pay for the violence and the burning down building," said Alston. "Now our community doesn't have a drugs store."
"People keep saying for the protestors to be peaceful. We're asking for the police officers to be non-violent and to be peaceful," said Pastor Jamal Bryant.
Pastor Jamal Bryant says he and many others are waiting for justice for Freddie Gray.
"We didn't see it in Sanford, in Ferguson, or in Cleveland, but we're praying that we're going to find it in Baltimore," said Bryant.
Police say they've had a lot training since the unrest and have new state-of-the-art riot gear at the ready, just in case.
