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Baltimore City NAACP Charles Village office damaged after concrete thrown through window, video shows

The Baltimore City Branch of the NAACP released the video Thursday afternoon of individuals vandalizing the social justice organization's Charles Village office on March 28 on social media.

It happened after the organization's virtual monthly membership meeting, officials said.

Rev. Kobi Little, president of the Baltimore City Chapter of the NAACP was at his desk when it happened.

He said a bottle was thrown against a glass tile window. Then a piece of concrete was hurled through the window of the front door, he said.

No individuals were physically harmed, officials said.

The video shows four individuals moving towards, then running away after throwing objects at the building. The ethnicity of the individuals was not identified by Baltimore City Police Department or NAACP officials.

"The Baltimore NAACP will not be deterred," said the organization in a statement.

"While we don't know what the motivation behind this incident is, we do know that a group of young individuals intentionally directed projectiles at our building causing damage to our façade and our front door. At this time, we don't know if this is retaliation for our advocacy, or an attempt at sabotage to disrupt our work, or an act of hate, or if this is meant to intimidate or bully the NAACP or if this is simply an act of youthful mischief."

During WYPR's Midday program this afternoon, NAACP leaders told Tom Hall about the incident.

“We will continue to reach out, and make sure that the community feels welcomed to join the NAACP, and to join in the fight for freedom, justice and equity," Little said on Midday.

Listen to the full interview here which primarily focused about the organization's efforts to shed light about the workplace culture of Baltimore Gas and Electric and against the conduit deal between Baltimore City and BGE.

The Southern Poverty Law Center, a nonprofit organization that tracks hate groups, has identified nearly a dozen groups across Maryland.

The Baltimore City Police Department declined to comment for this news story citing that it is "an open investigation."

The police report was filed on March 29 as property damage of at least $400. Around 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday night a police officer was patrolling the 2600 block of North Charles Street and was flagged down for help, according to the report obtained by WYPR.

At the news conference on Thursday, Little said the NAACP will work with area businesses to make the neighborhood safer.

"We're going to be reaching out to other neighbors here [in] the Charles Village Benefits District to make sure that 26th Street doesn't have random blocks of debris that can be used as weapons."

Digital news editor Kristen Mosbrucker contributed to this news story.

Wambui Kamau is a General Assignment Reporter for WYPR. @WkThee
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