After Baltimore's curfew was imposed last night, news cameras captured law enforcement's swift and shocking arrest of a demonstrator.
During a CNN segment, Joseph Kent is seen with his hands up, telling the media that they need to disperse. Kent, 21, gained notoriety last year for his role in Baltimore protests of Michael Brown's fatal shooting in Ferguson, Mo. Moments later, a National Guard vehicle drove forward and officers in riot gear rushed Kent. The humvee obstructed much of the encounter, but it was clear that Kent was whisked away inside of it.
CNN anchor Chris Cuomo described the events:
He wasn't almost hit by that armored vehicle. They drove the vehicle up and when it got close enough to create a wedge, they ran out an grabbed him, pinned him against that and arrested him. They must have perceived, rightly or wrongly, that he was part of this group that was throwing things at them. When he tried to come up the street the first time with his hands up, they were shooting the pepper bullets at him, and he ran back with this other group. He then reapproached again—they let him come, he came across, he told all of the media, "You need to disperse" when, again, this curfew is not about us, it's about whoever was creating unrest last night. And then, as he was walking back and forth, the humvee came and they used it as an opportunity, and he's being taken into custody right now, apparently.
Outraged viewers took to Twitter to voice their anger, and question Kent's whereabouts:
Where is #JosephKent stay awake people
— Talib Kweli Greene (@TalibKweli) April 29, 2015Attorney Stephen Beatty tweeted early this morning that Kent is at Baltimore Central Booking, where he is safe.
1/2 Re: #JosephKent As a service to the community I can confirm that Mr. Kent is at CBIF awaiting processing. Report is he is ok and safe.
— The Big Acquittal (@BeattyLaw) April 29, 2015
2/3Due to large numbers of arrests, processing is slow. He is not even in system yet. More will be known in about 5 pic.twitter.com/Um9ZQowWGR
— The Big Acquittal (@BeattyLaw) April 29, 2015
3/3 hours. I do not yet rep him although I will gladly if he wants me to.But everyone breathe.No longer in BPD hands. CO's have him. Safer.
— The Big Acquittal (@BeattyLaw) April 29, 2015
