A Baltimore protester who vanished as a CNN camera captured his curfew arrest on live TV “is ok and safe,” according to a lawyer who has agreed to defend him. Community organizer Joseph Kent, who was seized by police late Tuesday and accused of breaking the city’s 10 p.m. emergency curfew, was discovered early Wednesday waiting to be processed in a police booking facility, Baltimore attorney Stephen Beatty said. CNN’s cameras looked on Tuesday night as Kent walked back and forth in front of a large formation of police officers, arms held high. In the video, a police humvee slowly drives…
A Baltimore protester who vanished as a CNN camera captured his curfew arrest on live TV “is ok and safe,” according to a lawyer who has agreed to defend him.
Community organizer Joseph Kent, who was seized by police late Tuesday and accused of breaking the city’s 10 p.m. emergency curfew, was discovered early Wednesday waiting to be processed in a police booking facility, Baltimore attorney Stephen Beatty said.
CNN’s cameras looked on Tuesday night as Kent walked back and forth in front of a large formation of police officers, arms held high. In the video, a police humvee slowly drives between Kent and the cameras, obscuring their view, while several officers rush out and surround him. Moments later, the vehicle drives away — and Kent has disappeared.
The video sparked a frenzy on social media, with many taking to Twitter to question Kent’s whereabouts and make sure he was okay.
“This is unreal,” read one tweet. “This is a kidnapping on national TV.”
Beatty ultimately stepped forward to search for the protestor. At nearly 1 a.m. Wednesday, Beatty reported back, “I can confirm that Mr. Kent is at [Central Booking & Intake Facility] awaiting processing. Report is he is ok and safe.”
“Due to large numbers of arrests, processing is slow,” Beatty added. “He is not even in system yet. More will be known in about 5 hours. I do not yet rep him although I will gladly if he wants me to. But everyone breathe. No longer in BPD hands. CO’s have him. Safer.”
Later Wednesday, Kent retained Beatty as his attorney. Based on a 20-minute conversation, Beatty said of Kent, “He is healthy and positive.” Kent will share his story Wednesday night on various national networks:
Press Schedule re:#JosephKent: 740pm on CNN w/Erin Burnett. Between 8 and 9 in msnbc. 10pm w/Don Lemon on CNN.
— The Big Acquittal (@BeattyLaw) April 29, 2015
Kent rose to prominence in November, when he emerged as a leader of protests in Ferguson, Missouri, over a police officer’s killing of Michael Brown.
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Dramatic Video Shows Protestor Joseph Kent’s Arrest For Breaking Baltimore Curfew
