The cast of HBO's "The Wire" was back in Baltimore over the weekend to take part in an event that let residents of the city share real-life stories. "Wired Up! A Celebration of the Spirit + Power of the People of Baltimore" featured "The Wire" actors reading monologues written by Baltimore residents during a two-day workshop. The event was aimed to celebrate the city's resiliency and recognize "the 'unsung heroes' of Baltimore - those who serve inside and amongst the community, tirelessly and selflessly," said the event's official website.
The monologues focused on the April 27 disturbances that occurred following the death of Freddie Gray in police custody earlier that month, reported the Baltimore Sun. "We can't wait for more people to die," former "The Wire" cast member Sonja Sohn told the audience. "We can't wait for any more black men to die at the hands of police officers who were acting irresponsibly. That's why we put this event together. We're actors, and what we can do is to build a platform to raise voices that need to be heard."
Cast members that took part in the workshop included Michael K. Williams (Omar Little), Sonja Sohn (Det. Shakima "Kima" Greggs), Andre Royo (Bubbles' cousin), Larry Gillard Jr. (D'Angelo Barksdale) and Felicia Pearson (Snoop). Cast members Dominic West, Wendell Pierce and series creator David Simon were not in attendance but did send a recorded message, Entertainment Weekly reported.
"'The Wire,' is the most realistic depiction ever made of the confusing and difficult relationship between citizens and the police," said audience member Bryan Sansone, 29, who lives in Baltimore and said he's viewed all five seasons of the show four times.
"The Wire" ran on HBO from 2002-2008. Each season of the critically acclaimed show focused on a different institution in the city of Baltimore like the illegal drug trade, school system, the city government and the print news media.
