The Justice Department is looking into whether a prosecutable civil rights violation occurred in the death of Freddie Gray a week after his arrest on April 12 in Baltimore.
Gray died after his spine was partially severed, his lawyer says, and he lapsed into a coma while in police custody. Gray was arrested "Without force or incident" On a weapons charge, according to court documents. Ref. CNN
Are we starting a trend in this country where every black person shot has to be thoroughly investigated? If we are then make sure they do it for other races too.
International Level: New Activist / Political Participation: 18 1.8%
Protesters angry over the death of Freddie Gray continue to confront police in downtown Baltimore near Camden Yards, the city's famed baseball stadium.
Earlier Saturday night, some of the hundreds who stood before lines of police officers got into shoving matches with helmeted cops while other demonstrators threw objects. At least five police cars were damaged by people who smashed windows and jumped on them.
Twelve people were arrested, Police Commissioner Anthony Batts said.
The skirmishes followed a planned demonstration over how police handled the arrest of Gray, a 25-year-old Baltimore man who suffered a spinal injury at some point after he was detained by police on April 12 and died a week later. Ref. CNN
If they think the solution is to destroy government property then they are wrong. Protest the handling of things by seeking legal redress through the courts.
International Level: Junior Politician / Political Participation: 67 6.7%
Seven Baltimore police officers have suffered major injuries in street clashes, a police spokesman said.
One officer was knocked unconscious and others had broken bones, Capt. Eric Kowalczyk said. Video showed a police car burning and a pharmacy damaged.
The unrest came the same day as the funeral in West Baltimore for Freddie Gray, who died while in police custody. Ref. CNN
White washing murder: Police Won't Release Details of Freddie Gray's Death to Public :
"We cannot release all of this information to the public because if there is a decision to charge in any event by the State's Attorney's Office, the integrity of that investigation has to be protected," Said Police Captain Eric Kowalczyk. Ref. Source 3
Six police officers have been charged in the death of Freddie Gray, Baltimore State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby said today.
One officer -- the driver of the police van -- has been charged with several counts, including second-degree depraved-heart murder. Another officer has been charged with several counts, including manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter. Two other officers have been charged with several counts, including involuntary manslaughter. And two officers are charged with several counts, including second-degree assault. Ref. CNN
Police overdid this arrest but why? Were they all just on edge that day or decided to make an example of Freddie?
International Level: Senior Politician / Political Participation: 174 17.4%