Marilyn Mosby takes the stage with Prince at 'Rally 4 Peace'; 'The system is broken,' he says

[KamaAina]

http://www.citypaper.com/blogs/noise/bcpnews-marilyn-mosby-takes-the-stage-with-prince-at-rally-4-prince-the-system-is-broken-he-says-20150510,0,1437770.story

When tickets for Prince's surprise "Rally 4 Peace" benefit concert at Royal Farms Arena went on sale last week, City Paper and Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle were among those who criticized the concert for, among other things, exorbitant ticket prices and taking attention away from local, grassroots efforts. When it was announced that the first hour of the concert would be live-streamed for free on Jay-Z's fledgling Tidal service, cynics thought it looked oddly promotional.

We can still debate whether Prince's presence in Baltimore is ultimately helpful for reform efforts, but most of the thousands of people who attended the show last night seemed to deeply appreciate it, not just as a killer and historic gig--Prince hadn't played Baltimore in 14 years--but as a cathartic howl of love and affection for their hometown.

"I am your servant tonight, Baltimore," Prince said as he walked onstage at about 8:45, before launching into a dirgy, slowed-down take on 'Let's Go Crazy.' He was wearing a flowing gray suit. Many of those in attendance heeded the poster's direction to "wear something gray." Whenever the houselights came on, the floor was a sea of gray with the comical exception of one man in the middle of the arena wearing a bright orange Orioles jersey.

Prince launched into classics 'Take Me With U' and 'Raspberry Beret,' before playing his new song, 'Baltimore,' with peppy music that belies serious lyrics: "Does anybody hear us pray?/ For Michael Brown or Freddie Gray/ Peace is more than the absence of war." During the song, Prince brought State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby and her husband, Councilman Nick Mosby, on to the stage. After an awkward wave, they returned to their seats on stage right without addressing the crowd.

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

1. I think Prince is completely righteous in this cause. I think he is doing it for the

right reasons and the money will be of great benefit to those in need.

BTW, he is an amazing guitar player.

Amazing.

Those of us who are musicians will tell you this.

While I dont play guitar, I know a good one when I see one.

[KamaAina]

2. A friend of mine who lives in Bawlmer was there!

I am insanely jealous.

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

3. I have seen many of the greats. Jimmy Page, Pete Townshend, Robin Trower, Tommy Bolin

Brian May, Steve Miller, David Gilmour, Carlos Santana, Jerry Garcia, Neil Young, Neal Schon (Journey & Santana)

and I am forgetting many.

I have not seen Prince, would love to.

[HassleCat]

4. I Question Mosby's Actions

I was surprised at the decision to levy such heavy charges against the cops involved. I can see where they were negligent, but murder? The problem with the whole incident stems from the decision to chase down and arrest Freddie Gray because he ran from them. This is more a case of institutional misconduct than six officers "going rogue" or something like that. I would rather see more concentration on better training for police, and sensible policies about issues of pursuing suspects, when to shoot at suspects, and what makes someone a suspect in the first place. I don't think charging individual officers with murder does much to address these issues, and it may prove to be a big distraction particularly as it becomes a huge spectacle played out in the media.