Supporters of Freddie Gray came together in Baltimore on Saturday, as a day full of peaceful protests turned violent, leading to over 30 arrests.
According to the Associated Press, over 1,200 people marched to City Hall and throughout the city for the death of Freddie Gray. The 25-year-old died in police custody earlier this month after getting arrested by police officers.
Reports claim after he made eye contact with the officers, he ran causing a chase and was later take down, which was recorded by a friend. Six officers are seen handling Gray, with one placing his legs in what witnesses call "a pretzel like" position.
Gray was taken into a patrol van, handcuffed and later retained with iron leg casts. After being taken out of the van, Gray was unconscious and died a week later due to a severed spine and broke voice box. Five of the officers have been suspended and recently gave their account of the story to investigators. Officials admitted on Friday that Gray should have received medical treatment for his injuries in a quicker manner.
Protests on Saturday took a turn for the worse with protesters clashing with police. A few patrol cars were destroyed as well as local shops. Police believe a group of people that weren't from the Baltimore area brought trouble to the protest when they threw several tables and chairs through a restaurant window. Gray's twin sister Frederica pleaded with the public not to carry out violence in her late brother's name.
"My family wants to say, can you all please, please stop the violence?" Gray said. "Freddie Gray would not want this."
Community leader Malik Shabazz and the president of Black Lawyers for Justice, was surprised at the amount of supporters but understood their frustrations.
"This is a problem that has not been solved," he said. "When there's no justice, they tend to want to take matters into their own hands."
In total, 34 people were arrested and six officers were treated with minor injures. Officials stated that more cops would be assigned to areas through the city.
Source: Associated Press | Photo Credit: Twitter
