Creator of Baltimore-based 'The Wire' speaks out against riots
The creator and cast members of The Wire, a series that chronicled the Baltimore police department, are speaking out against riots in the city.
Protests turned violent on Monday following the funeral of Freddie Gray, a black man who died from injuries he sustained while in police custody two weeks ago.
"In this moment — the anger and the selfishness and the brutality of those claiming the right to violence in Freddie Gray's name needs to cease," David Simon, the creator of the show and former Baltimore Sun police reporter, wrote on his website.
The acclaimed HBO series aired from 2002-2008.
The governor of Maryland declared a state of emergency on Monday and as fear of further violence spread, public schools
Simon said positive momentum for change initially associated with the protests turned into destruction.
"There was real power and potential in the peaceful protests that spoke in Mr. Gray's name initially (...). But this, now, in the streets, is an affront to that man's memory and a diminution of the absolute moral lesson that underlies his unnecessary death," Simon wrote.
As rioters burned buildings and looted businesses, several former cast members tweeted to encourage peace.
Wendall Price, who played a detective on the show, tweeted, "Baltimore. These are not protesters. These are criminals disrespectful of the wishes of the family and people of good will."
Andre Royo, who played Bubbles on the show, encouraged
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