Those watching Baltimore on national television Monday might be forgiven for not being able to truly understand what might drive the protestors. But, the scenes on television come only after years of militaristic policing, excessive force and police misconduct of soaring proportions.
We should not condone criminal actions on either side. Violence is a last resort. But in Baltimore and elsewhere, some citizens feel they have been left with little alternative.
I am a civil rights lawyer. For almost 20 years, I have represented victims of some of the worst police abuses.I have been privileged to partner with many wonderful clients while advancing the law toward justice.
Over the course of that time, I have learned a great deal from the victims of police misconduct I have represented and, through that connection, come to know, respect and, sometimes, love.
The few rogue police officers prey on a certain population: those without political power in our society; those without a voice. The hope, apparently, is that their cries will not be heard. And, too often, they are not.
Stripped of their dignity by agents of their own government, beaten, falsely arrested and jailed, scarred and humiliated, these people, their families and neighbors, must focus so much on survival that entering the political fray is a luxury they cannot afford. It isn't just not having the money to make political donations or the time to campaign and vote, it is the struggle for our poorest brothers and sisters to stay alive and safe in their own neighborhoods.
I once represented an African American mother whose young son's jaw was broken by police who chased him just for running. The child had broken no law.
The defense lawyer representing our fair city was anxious to grill the mother after she correctly testified that her son, who had no prior law enforcement contact, was a good boy. Practically licking his lips, the city's defense lawyer — a relatively well-off, middle-aged white man — rose and asked sarcastically, "If your son is so good, why did he run from the police?" Without missing a beat, the young black mother replied, "Because I taught him to."
Growing up in the poorest neighborhoods in Baltimore, she had learned the hard way that young African American men are safest to run from the police here. In fact, if her innocent child had only darted away a little faster, he wouldn't have been beaten by grown men with batons until he ended up in the hospital.
There are thousands of stories like this — vicious and uncaring barbarism by the authorities. If the nation could watch each of these police abuses live on TV, it would shed a different light on yesterday's events.
This population is under siege. The choice to turn to violence can only be understood (not condoned, but understood) with this in mind.
But I say to my fellow citizens that there are alternatives. They are difficult, but in Baltimore, people are tough, especially the ones bad police typically single out.
First, no matter who you are or how disconnected you may feel from the system, there is a small cadre of civil rights lawyers who take tough cases not just to change the victim's lives, but to change our society. I recently moved my civil rights practice here because even before Freddie Gray, I knew Baltimore needed our help.
Second, there are outstanding organizations fighting tyranny in all forms here in Baltimore. The NAACP, the ACLU and the Maryland Association for Justice are just a few examples.
Our government has posters up everywhere: "If you see something, say something." It's time for our side to do the same. Stand up and say something; volunteer. Put down the rocks and pick up the phone. Contact a civil rights lawyer, call one of the organizations dedicated to protecting your liberties. We can help.
Cary J. Hansel is a civil rights lawyer in Maryland. He can be reached at http://www.hansellaw.com.