A Ground-Level View of Baltimore’s Protests: Hope, Anger, and Beauty

Protesters, police, tear gas, and roller skates collide in Andrew Renneisen’s gorgeous photos.

Protesters in Baltimore stand between the police and other protesters in hopes of keeping the peace.<a href="http://www.andrewrenneisen.com">Andrew Renneisen</a>

Get your news from a source that’s not owned and controlled by oligarchs. Sign up for the free Mother Jones Daily.


On April 12, Freddie Gray was arrested by Baltimore police. One hour later he was comatose. A week later he was dead, succumbing to spinal injuries inflicted while in custody. On Monday, Gray’s funeral was followed by peaceful protests as well as looting, arson, and confrontations with police.

Photographer Andrew Renneisen was on the streets that night and the following day as the city took stock of the riots’ aftermath, capturing images of violence and destruction, but also hope and courage.

All photos by Andrew Renneisen.

A protester picks up a tear gas canister after it was fired to disperse a small crowd that stayed past a 10 p.m. curfew.
 

Baltimore residents watch the scene of a fire at Baker and North Mount Streets.
 

A car burns on Fulton Avenue.
 

Residents watch the fire at Baker and North Mount Streets.
 

Freddie Gray’s friends and family pray at the New Shiloh Baptist Church the night of the riots.
 

A police officer across the street from the fire at Baker and North Mount Streets.
 

The fire’s aftermath.
 

Citizens clean up a CVS that was looted and set on fire during protests.
 

A protester on the morning after Monday’s massive protests.
 

Police create a wall on West North Street and Pennsylvania Avenue.
 

A peace walk in honor of Freddie Gray Andrew Renneisen
 

A helicopter hovers over a rally following the peace walk. Andrew Renneisen
 

Protesters link arms together after bottles were thrown at police.
 

Black baby dolls hang from a tree to protest Gray’s death.
 

Police form a line and deploy tear gas to disperse protesters.
 

Roller skating amid the protests.
 

Tear gas floats behind a protester.

YOUR GIFT DOUBLES THROUGH FRIDAY

Right now, every dollar you give goes twice as far—but only until Friday’s midnight deadline. This is the moment to make your support count double.

In a climate where journalists face mounting pressure to back down, stay silent, or soften their reporting, Mother Jones refuses to flinch. We’re pushing back against intimidation and delivering fierce, independent journalism that holds power accountable—no matter who’s trying to silence us.

But here’s the reality: We’re a nonprofit newsroom with zero corporate backing and no financial cushion. We depend entirely on readers like you to fund the investigations that matter most.

Friday’s 2X match deadline is coming soon. We need you on the team right now. Please chip in and double your impact.

YOUR GIFT DOUBLES THROUGH FRIDAY

Right now, every dollar you give goes twice as far—but only until Friday’s midnight deadline. This is the moment to make your support count double.

In a climate where journalists face mounting pressure to back down, stay silent, or soften their reporting, Mother Jones refuses to flinch. We’re pushing back against intimidation and delivering fierce, independent journalism that holds power accountable—no matter who’s trying to silence us.

But here’s the reality: We’re a nonprofit newsroom with zero corporate backing and no financial cushion. We depend entirely on readers like you to fund the investigations that matter most.

Friday’s 2X match deadline is coming soon. We need you on the team right now. Please chip in and double your impact.

We Recommend

Latest

Sign up for our free newsletter

Subscribe to the Mother Jones Daily to have our top stories delivered directly to your inbox.

Get our award-winning magazine

Save big on a full year of investigations, ideas, and insights.

Subscribe

Support our journalism

Help Mother Jones' reporters dig deep with a tax-deductible donation.

Donate