Since the tragic death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray while in police custody, tensions have been running high in Baltimore. As previously reported, Gray died on April 19, due to a severe spinal cord injury he sustained while in police custody. During a press conference on Friday, April 24, Police Commissioner Anthony W. Batts said the young man should’ve received medical treatment after the arrest, NewsOne reports.
It’s still unclear how Gray sustained the severe injuries. However, a video of Gray’s arrest shows him screaming in pain, as officers “folded his body like origami,” as they placed him under arrest, witnesses reported.
On April 27, the Baltimore PD released the statement below, as they anticipated a large number of protesters hitting the streets.
Unfortunately, the statement only caused the Black community more emotional duress as mainstream media began to attack Blacks in Baltimore, despite gang members going on record stating that the threat was false. That instead of inflicting violence on their community, they would make an effort to negate those violently protesting. As a matter of fact, many men were photographed standing peacefully in front of officers, with their hands folded behind their backs, as a true sign of peace.
As you can imagine, the “threat” quickly became big news, provoking celebs like Baltimore native Jada Pinkett Smith, activist Jesse Williams, Ray Lewis and more to speak up in an effort to prevent the loss of more lives.
For celebs’ reaction to the Baltimore protests, hit the flip.
