by William Hughes
On Thursday morning, March 4, 2010, a spirited protest action was held in front of the Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center, on North Gay Street, not far from the City Hall. The demonstrators -- students, teachers and community activists -- demanded "$100 million [in Maryland's state budget] be converted from youth jails to youth jobs and education," according to their press release. About 13 of the protesters made their way into the lobby of the building where they engaged in civil disobedience.

"The police didn't arrest them when they did a sit-in, so ... they are picketing around, blocking the metal detectors and the doors," said Abeni Nazeer, a spokesperson for the protesters.

As I left the event to cover another assignment, the students in front of the building were continuing to chant, "Arrest O'Malley!" A flyer, picturing Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, read, "Wanted for Incarcerating Youth!" It appeared the police were prepared to simply wait out the protesters inside the building. Updates on the action are to be posted at the website of one of the groups that sponsored the event: BailOutPeople.org.