Justice for Freddie Gray, whose spine was broken by police - reform the Baltimore police now!

  • by: Nathan Empsall
  • recipient: Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Police Commissioner Anthony W. Batts; CC the Baltimore City Council, Governor Hogan, and Attorney General Frosh

Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old black man, died after his spine was severed in Baltimore police custody. There was no proof he committed a crime, and he was detained without cause.

Neither the beating nor Freddie's time in the van were filmed, but the arrest itself was. Freddie repeatedly asked for medical attention before it was finally provided, and officers dragged him to their van as he screamed in pain. The coroner ruled it a homicide.

After two weeks, tends of thousands of protesters, and 103k signatures, six police officers were indicted - but broader reform is needed to prevent this from happenign again. The city's civilian review board is toothless, and a new Baltimore Sun report shows that the city has paid $5.7 million to settle more than 100 police violence cases without jailing a single officer.

We can never commend violence or riots, but broken spines are worse than broken cars and the abuse of authority is worse than marginalized voices pushing back the only way they know how to be heard. It would be immoral for us to condemn any protests without using the same breath to also condemn the state-sanctioned police violence that has gone unpunished for years.

Tell Baltimore's Mayor: No more Freddie Grays. Reform Baltimore's police department and civilian review board now!

Every time rogue cops abuse their power, we must all raise our voices. It is the only way to protect both citizens and good police officers, and things won't change unless the outcry is national and sustained.

The indictment of six police officers in the homicide of Freddie Gray is an important first step, but it is not enough. We can't be content to deal with just one case - broader reform is needed.


After 102 cases of KNOWN police brutality in just four years, please take immediate steps to reform both Baltimore's police department and the civilian review board, which has been called toothless and ineffective. Many of the board's seats remain vacant, it does not take action until cases have been closed, and has no power to enforce its own recommendations. This is a "paper tiger" meant for show, and everyone knows it. Baltimore deserves better!


It is also important to reform the police department itself so that this does not happen again. Peace is needed, yes - but from the police department as much as if not more than the small minority of protesters who turned violent. We cannot cure a disease by treating its symptoms, and broken spines are worse than broken cars just as the abuse of armed, uniformed authority is worse than marginalized voices pushing back the only way that gets attention!


YOUR COMMENT HERE


Reform the police and the civilian reform board now!

Update #38 years ago
BREAKING: Six officers have been indicted for the homicide of Freddie Gray, including one for second-degree murder. Many thanks to State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby. True justice will come when police crimes no longer occur, but this is a HUGE step! http://bsun.md/1GMaNTc

Indictments in one case in one city are important, but so is broader reform. Don't let there be another Freddie Gray - keep sharing this petition to help reform Baltimore's police department and civilian review board!
Update #28 years ago
As a small minority of Baltimore's protestors turn to destruction, we must remember that while all violence is wrong, it is also wrong to condemn protests without using the same breath to condemn state-sanctioned police violence. Broken spines are worse than broken cars, & the abuse of authority is worse than marginalized voices pushing back.

Here are 4 important articles to read:

http://theatln.tc/1J6CDda
http://bsun.md/1GEwLu6
http://theatln.tc/1zkDZRE
http://bit.ly/1GEy8cf
Update #18 years ago
1,200 have peacefully protested in Baltimore since Freddie died. Last night, a few dozen smashed police cars. Freddie’s sister has called for peace: "Can y'all please, please stop the violence?"

The riotous actions of a few are wrong, but our focus must be on the bigger crime. Freddie Gray died at police hands, the force is not answering all questions, and the investigation is not independent. Please stand for justice - keep sharing this petition and putting pressure on Baltimore officials!
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