Most See Baltimore Riots As Criminal, Not Protest

Americans view the recent rioting in Baltimore as criminal behavior, not legitimate protest, and think it will only worsen the criminal justice situation in the city.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 25% of American Adults consider the mob violence in Baltimore that followed the funeral of a black man who died in police custody to be primarily legitimate outrage. Sixty-three percent (63%) instead characterize it as mostly criminals taking advantage of the situation. Twelve percent (12%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

By comparison, when rioting flared up in Ferguson, Missouri last August following the shooting of a young black man by a white police officer, 25% said it was primarily legitimate outrage, while 52% saw it mostly as criminal behavior.

But as in most questions related to the criminal justice system, there is a clear racial difference of opinion. Fifty-five percent (55%) of black adults view the mob violence in Baltimore as mostly legitimate outrage. Sixty-eight percent (68%) of white and 64% of other minority Americans consider it primarily criminals taking advantage of the situation.
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