Violent Protest of Freddie Gray, 25, leads to 12 arrests, 6 police officers suspended

A protest in Baltimore U.S. has led to the arrest of 12 people over the unexplained death of a black man in police custody. There had been over 2,000 people marching the City Hall par-taking the protest which at one point led to acts of violence.

The protest for the death of Freddie Gray, 25 who died a week ago had been huge and as the sky grew darker some of the protesters started splintering from the group and started throwing bottles, metal barricades and other objects at police officers and their cruisers.

Police commissioner Anthony Batts said that the protestors smashed several windows of businesses in the area as well. He also said that the police arrested 12 people who did not follow orders to disperse.

Freddie’s twin sister, Fredericka Gray, join Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Baltimore Mayor at a news conference where she had urged people to remain calm and said, “Freddie’s father and mother do not want violence, violence does not get justice.”

On April 19^th, Gray had died after suffering from a spinal injury while remaining in police custody. Gray’s death adds to the already long list of black men who have died under questionable circumstances during police encounters in recent months. These incidents have ignited a massive uproar over the excessive use of force by law enforcement against minorities.

The Gray case has led to 6 Baltimore police officers being suspended while a police investigation is still undergoing.

Mayor Rawlings-Blake stated that some of the overly agitated protesters have disrupted the peaceful political action that had being going on demanding answers for Gray’s death.

“I am profoundly disappointed to see the violence in our city this evening,” she said.

The violence had mostly taken place near the Camden Yards ballpark, where the Baltimore Orioles played the Boston Red Sox. Fans had been told to stay put towards the end of the game due to safety concerns.

The 6 officers involved in the arrest of Gray are being asked for prosecution by protesters while asking for reforming policing tactics.

Mr. Batts said that the officers repeatedly failed in helping Gray with medical attention while disregarding other regulations.

The president of the Baltimore police union, Gene Ryan said in a statement that the commissioner’s comments had been premature and seemed to be politically driven.