7 images that explain the Baltimore riots.

A city in America has erupted in riots that have injured at least 20 police officers, resulted in over 200 arrests and more than 150 fires – but chances are, you’re still not across the details of what’s been going on.

The riots in Baltimore, Maryland began after African-American man, Freddie Gray, was killed in police custody. Mr Gray was arrested and thrown into a police wagon, where he fell into a coma after suffering a spinal injury during his violent arrest.

A week later, Mr Gray was pronounced dead.

His death — which followed a string of black deaths in custody, including those of Freddie Gray and Michael Brown — proved to be the last straw for a population ravaged by a racial power imbalance.

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Tensions in the United States run far deeper than many foreigners could understand, but we hope these images will help explain some of the events of the past week.

1. This protest sign.

The riots were spurred by the death of local African-American man Freddie Gray. He appeared to be the final straw in a spate of black deaths in custody across the country. People marched through Baltimore carrying signs reading “Black Lives Matter” and “All Lives Matter”, and demanded justice for the killing of men in custody.

2. This act of destruction.

What started as a peaceful protest soon descended into violence. This police vehicle was destroyed by those angry at police for the treatment of African-American men. Baltimore spiralled so far into anarchy that it was declared a “state of emergency” and curfews were imposed across the city.

3. This isolated figure and wall of police.

This shows how the streets of Baltimore were cleared of all but a handful of protesters, rogue debris and spot fires. The police marched, in full riot squad gear, to restore control to the raging town. They deployed smoke bombs and pepper pellets to encourage people to return to indoors. More than 200 arrests have been made so far, and over 150 fires have been put out.

4. This mother teaching her son a lesson.

A mother reportedly caught her son participating in the riots before teaching him a lesson. The mother hit and dragged her son from the ruckus, and continued to pursue him as he ran away.

This video went viral after being uploaded online on Monday; it has more than two million views, and counting.

Video: ABC2/WMAR TV. Post continues after video:

5. These men protecting the riot squad.

More than 20 police officers were seriously injured in the riots that have carried on for days. These men are standing up to their community, calling for an end to the violence and anger toward the police.

6. This little boy’s act of kindness.

The city is attempting to clean itself up, with people of all sizes pitching in to help. This moving image shows a little boy offering bottles of water to the on-duty police officers in full riot gear.

7. Donald Trump’s controversial tweet.

As Baltimore erupted with rioting Monday night, business magnate Donald Trump took to Twitter to declare: “Our great African-American president hasn’t exactly had a positive impact on the thugs who are so happily and openly destroying Baltimore!”

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The presidential hopeful’s views were quickly slammed as “racist” — with Twitter users firing back: “Our President is two things you’ll never be: A decent person and President” and “because he’s african american that automatically makes him responsible for other african americans actions?”

Another Twitter user fired back: “And our white presidents did? Shut up, sir.”

Trump followed up his explosive comment with a series of further tweets commenting on the Baltimore riots, including one that declared: “Our country has to come together. We have to start working with, and really liking, each other.”

Which was ironic, really — since many commentators would argue that views like Trumps are exactly what’s damaging race relations in the USA.

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