Al Sharpton To Take On Baltimore Police, Planning Two-Day Freddie Gray March
Civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton is scheduled to arrive in Baltimore, Maryland, today to take on the Baltimore Police Department. According to the Washington Times, Rev. Sharpton is seeking answers over the highly-publicized death of Freddie Gray, who died of an unexplained spinal injury while in police custody. It has been reported that the 25-year-old man suffered multiple injuries.
In an official statement released on the National Action News website, Rev. Sharpton shared details about his upcoming plan of action. The 60-year-old activist also announced details about an upcoming two-day march for justice. Rev. Sharpton also has a message for newly-elected United States Attorney General, Loretta Lynch.
“I have been asked by many in the Baltimore area since day one to get involved in the justice for Freddie Gray movement,” the civil rights leader said in a statement on his National Action Network website.
“I will come to Baltimore this week at the invitation or Rev. Westley West, who has led vigils daily there, along with local clergy, and morning radio show host Larry Young who has headed our Baltimore chapter of NAN for the last decade. It is my intention to come and have a meeting with grassroots activists and faith leaders to schedule a two-day march in May from Baltimore to Washington.
The march will bring the case of Freddie Gray, Eric Garner, Walter Scott, Eric Harris to the new Attorney General, Loretta Lynch. Ms. Lynch, in her new role that we all supported, must look and intervene in these cases. Justice delayed is justice denied.”
The announcement of Rev. Sharpton’s two-day organized demonstration follows the eruption of violent riots throughout the city of Baltimore, Maryland. Although the Gray family reportedly requested for supporters refrain from protesting and rioting in wake of the funeral, the day definitely didn’t go according to plan.
Happening now in Baltimore #FreddieGray pic.twitter.com/Lm0KEVadKz
— NOTalkNetwork.com (@notnlive) April 27, 2015
According to CNN, the city has become an “absolute war zone” as enraged rioters and looters have contributed to chaos in the city. Thousands of rioters have clashed with police officers, vandalizing and burning patrol cars. It has been reported that one officer is unresponsive and seven others have been injured.
The Freddie Gray investigation is reportedly scheduled to be completed on May 1. State prosecutors will decide whether or not charges will be brought against the officers involved.
[Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images]
