Baltimore police Commissioner Anthony Batts speaks about the investigation into Freddie Gray's death at a news conference, April 24, 2015, in Baltimore.(Photo: Patrick Semansky)
Protesters in Baltimore took to the streets Saturday for what they had promised would be their biggest march yet after near-daily demonstrations this week over the death of Freddie Gray.
The demonstrations came a day after police said Gray did not receive medical attention early enough after being taken into custody and that Gray was not buckled into a seat when he was transported in a police van after he was arrested April 12.
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Demonstrators took to the streets of Baltimore for a fifth day on Thursday to express their outrage over the death of Freddie Gray. Clashes between protesters and police ended with two arrests. VPC
Gray, a black 25-year-old, died of a mysterious spinal injury that he suffered while in police custody. He was arrested for reasons police have not disclosed and after having tried to run away from arresting officers, police said. Officers held him down, handcuffed him and loaded him into a police van to transport him to the station.
As details emerged, protesters vowed to "shut down" the city Saturday by marching through the streets and snarling traffic. The president of a black lawyers' group predicted thousands of people would turn out for the demonstration.
"Things will change on Saturday, and the struggle will be amplified," said Malik Shabazz of Black Lawyers for Justice. "It cannot be business as usual with that man's spine broken, with his back broken, with no justice on the scene."
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan and Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake on Friday asked the public to remain calm during weekend protests. Hogan also sent state troopers to help keep the peace, and Baltimore officials urged employees to go home early this week as protests swept across "Charm City."
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Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake vows to get to the bottom of the cause of Baltimore resident Freddie Gray's death, who was critically injured while in police custody. (April 24) AP
Shabazz has demanded the arrest of six officers involved in the arrest of Gray, who died Sunday, a week after suffering the spinal injury. The officers were suspended with pay and are under criminal investigation by their own department. The U.S. Justice Department is reviewing the case for any civil rights violations, and Gray's family is conducting their own probe.
Deputy Commissioner Kevin Davis, who is leading the investigative police team looking into Gray's death, said that three bike officers encountered Gray and another man. Both men ran from police, who chased the pair through a neighborhood on the city's west side for several blocks.
Davis said when the officers caught up with Gray and arrested him, he should have received medical attention then. Davis did not explain why.
Gray asked for medical help several times, beginning before he was placed in the van. After a 30-minute ride that included three stops, paramedics were called. Authorities have not explained how or when Gray's spine was injured.
Police have said they plan on issuing a report by May 1.
Contributing: The Associated Press
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Baltimore police Commissioner Anthony Batts speaks about the investigation into Freddie Gray's death at a news conference, April 24, 2015, in Baltimore.(Photo: Patrick Semansky)
Protesters in Baltimore took to the streets Saturday for what they had promised would be their biggest march yet after near-daily demonstrations this week over the death of Freddie Gray.
The demonstrations came a day after police said Gray did not receive medical attention early enough after being taken into custody and that Gray was not buckled into a seat when he was transported in a police van after he was arrested April 12.
UP NEXT
03
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Demonstrators took to the streets of Baltimore for a fifth day on Thursday to express their outrage over the death of Freddie Gray. Clashes between protesters and police ended with two arrests. VPC
Gray, a black 25-year-old, died of a mysterious spinal injury that he suffered while in police custody. He was arrested for reasons police have not disclosed and after having tried to run away from arresting officers, police said. Officers held him down, handcuffed him and loaded him into a police van to transport him to the station.
As details emerged, protesters vowed to "shut down" the city Saturday by marching through the streets and snarling traffic. The president of a black lawyers' group predicted thousands of people would turn out for the demonstration.
"Things will change on Saturday, and the struggle will be amplified," said Malik Shabazz of Black Lawyers for Justice. "It cannot be business as usual with that man's spine broken, with his back broken, with no justice on the scene."
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan and Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake on Friday asked the public to remain calm during weekend protests. Hogan also sent state troopers to help keep the peace, and Baltimore officials urged employees to go home early this week as protests swept across "Charm City."
UP NEXT
03
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Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake vows to get to the bottom of the cause of Baltimore resident Freddie Gray's death, who was critically injured while in police custody. (April 24) AP
Shabazz has demanded the arrest of six officers involved in the arrest of Gray, who died Sunday, a week after suffering the spinal injury. The officers were suspended with pay and are under criminal investigation by their own department. The U.S. Justice Department is reviewing the case for any civil rights violations, and Gray's family is conducting their own probe.
Deputy Commissioner Kevin Davis, who is leading the investigative police team looking into Gray's death, said that three bike officers encountered Gray and another man. Both men ran from police, who chased the pair through a neighborhood on the city's west side for several blocks.
Davis said when the officers caught up with Gray and arrested him, he should have received medical attention then. Davis did not explain why.
Gray asked for medical help several times, beginning before he was placed in the van. After a 30-minute ride that included three stops, paramedics were called. Authorities have not explained how or when Gray's spine was injured.
Police have said they plan on issuing a report by May 1.
Contributing: The Associated Press
Read or Share this story: http://usat.ly/1z3DTNX
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