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EMPRESS INK: "Our Women & What They Think"
BRING THE VIOLENCE – BRING THE NOISE? 
Baltimore, MD May 30, 2004: Baltimore City Officers’ use of extreme force with festival goers at the close of the annual “SoWeBo Festival,” was the only incident of violence that occurred throughout the yearly cultural arts festival held in the southwest area of Baltimore City.
It was during the performance of the socially conscious, Reggae/Rock band “Living Proof” that the commotion began. There was some misunderstanding between festival organizers and city officers about the time the festival was scheduled to end. Without warning, officers are said to have physically shut off sound and told the crowd to “get ready for the real show.” Officers walked toward the stage, through the crowd of fifty or more people, with police batons in hand. The walked up onto the stage, apparently prepared for a confrontation with the band. There was none. Members of “Living Proof” obliged the officers and shut down the show. When officers began to instruct patrons to leave the area, it became clear that were looking for a confrontation. This time, they found it with an unknown Caucasian male, obviously inebriated from the days’ festivities. When the man did not respond as quickly as the officers wanted, witnesses say two officers forced the young man to the ground and another 3 – 5 officers proceeded to hold him down and hit him with batons. While the man was clearly down on the ground and not moving, other officers reportedly used his taser stun gun on the man more than five times. Witnesses claim the man’s body was visibly shaking in response. Unfortunately, this is only the first of four violent incidents incited by Baltimore City Officers. Patrons became upset by police behavior, among them a gentleman of African descent, who was standing close by with his wife and small children. He explained to officers that their behavior was inappropriate, particularly in front of his, and other, children. He and his family moved along, but officers approached him aggressively. When questioned by the man, officers responded by grabbing him forcibly and placing him under arrest. His wife clung to him, explaining that he did nothing wrong and asking the officers to release him. Instead, his wife – who is with child – was also arrested. The violence did not stop there. Witnesses say once the couple was in police custody, friends and family came to secure the couple’s children and get them to safety. An elder Rastafarian woman, Mother Saray, was holding the couple’s son in her arms, apparently pacing back and forth to calm the child. A female officer approached the small group of 6-7 people and told Mother Saray to put the child down. Witnesses say the family members asked why, explaining to the officer that Mother Saray is family. The officer proceeded to grab her by the shoulder so hard that witnesses say the baby almost fell to the ground. Next the officer dragged Mother Saray into the street, and she and two other officers carried her into the police van also. Many community members asked officers for their names and badge numbers and are planning to make subsequent contact with supervisors. Among the officers who used unwarranted force, witnesses have identified Officers Wolf, Green and Langley, though reports conclude that there were others. At this point, the gentleman has been released, but his wife - who remains in police custody - was reportedly taken to a local emergency room due to pregnancy related bleeding that began after she was arrested. Family and friends are concerned for her and the health of her child as a result of the suspicious injuries. Mother Saray has also been released and is currently receiving medical treatment for a busted lip and injuries to both of her sides and her back. Community members are planning to stage a protest in response to the increase in violent and aggressive behavior by Baltimore City Police Officers. For more information contact Jendayi Lynn, Lady President of UNIA_ACL #460, EMPRESS INK Vol.1  
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