Baltimore United for Change, a broad coalition of community groups, has released the following statement in response to today’s announcement:
“Almost three weeks after Freddie Gray was illegally arrested, stuffed into a police van and taken for a deadly rough ride, State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby announced that her office will be indicting the six officers involved in his death.
From the very beginning, one of our key demands has been the appropriate indictment of those responsible for the senseless and unwarranted death of Freddie Gray. Today, that demand was met.
These indictments are only one step toward full restoration of justice for the Gray family and the Baltimore community. A trial is still pending. But, nothing will ever bring Freddie Gray back to his family and community.
Additionally, conditions in Baltimore city for communities affected by the curfew, which has been selectively applied, are unacceptable. Many residents cannot access healthy food and have difficulty moving around the city. The overly militarized police tactics have done nothing to tamp down anger. It is our young community activists, faith leaders and concerned citizens who have kept our communities safe this week by working hand-in-hand with those taking the streets.
We continue to demand the release of those who are being held without charge for protesting and the dismissal of outrageous bail amounts in certain cases. The State’s Attorney herself has acknowledged that public pressure was key to securing justice in the case. Baltimore should not sink to the new low of criminalizing protest.
Many have heard eloquent speeches from our regional leadership in the past few weeks. If they are actually committed to transforming our communities, there must be a serious commitment to strengthen our public education system, halt school closures, increase investment in Black communities through real jobs with a living wage and end the scourge of police violence once and for all.
Baltimore United for Change will continue to fight for the rights of all of our city’s residents. We are encouraged by today’s news, but we must work to ensure there can never be another unjustified death at the hands of those we pay to protect and serve our communities. And it is our elected officials who must take decisive action to do just that.
Baltimore United for Change is a broad coalition of groups seeking justice for Freddie Gray and an end to police violence. Members include: Baltimore Algebra Project, Baltimore BLOC, Casa De Maryland, City BLOC, Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle, Tyrone West Coalition, Kinetics, Rev. Dr. Heber Brown and more
