Freddie Gray protester, council candidate charged with theft

Many prefer in retrospect to use the hashtag #BaltimoreUprising, but the Freddie Gray “protest” consisted of days of rioting, looting and arson in and around the Baltimore neighborhood where Gray was arrested, followed by further protests when six police officers were indicted in connection with Gray’s death. One of the leaders of the protests was the Rev. Westley West, who on Sunday launched his campaign for a seat on the Baltimore City Council, after changing his party affiliation from Green to Democrat.

The Baltimore Sun notes that the timing of West’s announcement might not be the best. On Dec. 29th, West was charged with one count of misdemeanor theft, allegedly usingthe bank account routing number from a former employer to donate$1,000 to himself and his church.

During a pre-trial hearing in September of the six police officers charged with Gray’s death, West was arrestedon charges ofattempting to incite a riot, malicious destruction of property, disorderly conduct, disturbance of the peace, false imprisonment, and failure to obey for stopping traffic during a protest.

West does have vision, but it will take more than $1,000 to turn his district into the Inner Harbor.