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Freddie Gray

Source: The Washington Post/Getty / Getty

Thousands of people came together in Baltimore this weekend, all fed up after 25-year-old Freddie Gray‘s life was cut short due to injuries he sustained while in police custody.

Ahead of Gray’s wake today, protestors took to the streets to make a stand against police brutality, but according to reports, things didn’t go as the city of Baltimore and Gray’s family hoped they would.

CNN reports:

The vast majority of protesters who took to Baltimore’s streets late Saturday were peaceful, but the handful who weren’t left behind shards, rubble, and dents.

The demonstration was aimed at police, who had Gray in their custody when he suffered injuries that would claim his life.

Baltimore police said at least 34 people were arrested and six officers suffered minor injuries during the latest protest.

Gray’s family would like the violence to end:

“My family wants to say, ‘Can y’all please, please stop the violence,’” said his sister Fredericka Gray on Saturday night. “Freddie Gray would not want this.”

News of her brother’s smashed upper spine and officers’ delay in getting him medical care has triggered outrage, and people are demanding justice for the latest-known African-American man to die violently after an encounter with white police officers.

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Baltimore City Police Commissioner Anthony Batts gave thanks to peaceful protestors, adding that violent demonstrations were “unacceptable.”

According to CBS Baltimore:

“A small group of agitators intervened and turned what was otherwise a peaceful demonstration into a violent protest. This is something that is unacceptable to me and everyone who lives in Baltimore,” said Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.

Shortly after 6 Saturday evening, a group of protesters began to create unruliness near Camden Yards, jumping on cars, smashing windows of businesses and even throwing objects at police.

“The reality is that we have to allow their constitutional rights and people can’t destroy the city. We will make those arrests and hopefully we won’t have to make the arrests if people just do what they’re supposed to do in an appropriate way,” said Police Commissioner Anthony Batts.

In the wake of distress, a call for peace.

“We are not asking you not to protest. We’re not asking you not to lift your voice. We’re not asking you not to, in fact, express your feelings. But the Bible is clear: be angry but say naught. Rioting and looting will not get us justice; nor will it turn the tide,” said Rev. Dr. Jamal Bryant.

We Keep Gray’s family and loved ones in our prayers.

SOURCE: CBS BaltimoreCNN| PHOTO CREDIT: Getty

 

Thousands Gather In Baltimore To Protest Police Brutality Ahead Of Freddie Gray’s Wake, Family Denounces Violent Demonstrators  was originally published on globalgrind.com