Baltimore man stands between police and protestors to prevent further violence

"Don't give them a reason."

So shouts this man caught on video standing between protestors and police as tensions continued to escalate in Baltimore.

With arms spread wide, he tries to hold back angry protestors facing up to the police dressed in riot gear.

They not showing this on the news #BaltimoreRiots https://t.co/ZRS1Vvvco2

— Ah Von Da Digital Creator (@TheRealAVOUN) April 27, 2015

The man, somewhat ironically, is wearing a Punisher t-shirt - the Punisher is a Marvel Comics character, a war veteran turned violent vigilante who kills criminals.

Riots broke out in Baltimore hours after the funeral of Freddie Gray who died of a severe spinal cord injury while in police custody.

A state of emergency has been declared.