This protest came in light of a Baltimore City Council subcommittee vote to give interim City Police Commissioner Keith Davis a permanent title without community input – or significant overhauls in Baltimore policing since the murder of Freddie Grey earlier this year by Baltimore police officers. Protesters also called for an end to police militarization in Baltimore as well as proper education funding for Baltimore community schools, to be decided by the Baltimore community.

At around 5:00 a.m. Oc. 15, police arrested at least 12 youth and student protesters on trespassing charges. Protesters had demanded a meeting with Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.

Organizers for Baltimore Bloc are urging the public to call the Baltimore city jail at 443-263-8706 and 410-545-8122 demanding the release of the black youth protesters and their supporters.

#BaltimoreMD #AfricanAmerican #PoliceBrutality #FreddieGray #BaltimoreBloc

Salt Lake City, UT – Freddie Gray committed no crime on April 12 when he was arrested by Baltimore Police Officers. Gray sustained a spinal cord injury and fell into a coma. He died on April 19.

Baltimore residents took to the streets in protest. After several days of curfew and repression from the National Guard, city prosecutor Marilyn Mosby announced criminal charges would be filed against six officers for the death of Freddie Gray. In a press conference, Mosby nodded to protesters, “I heard your calls of no justice, no peace.”

Despite rain, 200 people took the streets of Salt Lake City to show solidarity with Baltimore protesters. With Utah ranked as the third most dangerous state for police violence, people here are no stranger to the reality of police murders in America. Family members of police terror victims Dillon Taylor, Darrien Hunt and Corey Kanosh were present to condemn the racist violence against Baltimore protesters.

Those attending were encouraged to become active locally. Utah Against Police Brutality organizers urged those present to fill empty slots on the Salt Lake City police civilian review board as a first step towards a larger struggle of taking on the system.

Pratik Raghu spoke first, saying “As far as I’m concerned now, the people of Baltimore are strongly on the side of non-violence: that is, they are opposed to the vicious violence of a police force that is out of control, a state government that does not have their interests at heart whatsoever and a federal government that condemns their actions without adequately considering larger forces at play. Their resistance is fierce because they are fighting for nothing less than their community’s very survival. To condemn their anger and militancy, then, is to deny their right to exist.”

Fubuki Abe, of the group Stand For Queer Lives, spoke to the gathered crowd about the murder of transwoman Mya Hall by NSA cops in Baltimore. Abe emphasized the importance of keeping all Black lives visible. “During this movement, there have been less than subtle heteropatriarchal undertones, and if we are going to stand in unity to confront the face of white supremacy, we cannot turn a blind eye to the face of transmisogyny.”

Shekinah Stanton, from Salt Lake Community College Black Student Union, told people “This issue goes beyond a Black or white issue, this is an issue about our humanity. It's something we've lost along the way – that few still possess. We need a legal policy change, to truly make a difference that holds those in authority accountable. Community leaders, government officials and police chiefs need to sit down and have a conversation on how to make our communities communities and not war zones. And the conversation needs to happen yesterday.”

Nakita Swanigan spoke to the corrupt nature of policing in the U.S., stating “The institution needs to be torn down and rebuilt brick by brick because the foundation is wicked. Its foundation is wicked. Its foundation wasn’t built for me. It wasn’t built for you.”

Lex Scott, the president of United Front Party and member of Utah Against Police Brutality said, “Black men and women in this country are at a boiling point, we refuse to be silenced, we refuse to sit down, we will rise and remain risen. Let no one and nothing attempt to silence our beautiful rebellion.”

Scott led protesters in a chant she learned from her time in Ferguson, “Indict, convict, send that killer cop to jail! The whole damn system is guilty as hell!”

Gregory Lucero, speaking for the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, stated “What’s happening in Baltimore is not a riot, it’s a rebellion. It’s right for the people of Baltimore to rebel against the racist killer cops. It’s right to rebel against the economic system that has taken good jobs from Baltimore. It’s right to rebel against the government that continues to arm these killer cops, that has money for endless wars, but no money for schools, education and rebuilding Baltimore.” Lucero led protesters in chanting, “It’s right to rebel!”

Protesters also chanted, “You can’t respect us! You can’t protect us!” “Serve and protect, that’s a lie, you don’t care when Black folks die!” and “Black lives matter!”

#SaltLakeCityUT #PoliceBrutality #FreddieGray #Baltimore

“Black existence is revolutionary. Every inch you take up is space that is not occupied by white oppressors. Freddie Grey deserved to exist. This protest will bring more awareness of the genocide that is being committed against Black and brown people,” said Ellena Fisher, a member of BLACC.

The protesters took to the streets and blocked traffic, chanting: “Can’t stop, won’t stop, ‘til killer cops are in cell blocks,” and “All night, all day, we will fight for Freddie Grey”, in addition to other chants on their way downtown. They held signs reading “Jail killer cops” and “From Baltimore to Palestine, occupation is a crime.” Then, they marched to the state capitol building where several people gave speeches about the protests in Baltimore and police brutality. They also spoke about May Day and workers’ struggles, connecting the struggle for workers’ rights to the struggle for Black rights and the struggles of oppressed peoples worldwide.

“It’s important that we’re out on the streets and that we’re organized. When the Black masses assemble, the bourgeoisie tremble,” said Regina Joseph, lead organizer of the Black Liberation Action Coordinating Committee.

#TallahasseeFL #InJusticeSystem #Labor #StudentsForADemocraticSociety #MayDay #AfricanAmerican #PoliceBrutality #FreedomRoadSocialistOrganization #internationalWorkersDay #frso #Antiracism #BlackLiberationActionCoordinatingCommittee #BLACC #FreddieGray #Baltimore #TransLiberationFront

Tampa, FL – University of South Florida (USF) students rallied in solidarity with protesters in Baltimore, April 30. Over 100 students gathered at the USF library and marched to MLK plaza, chanting “No justice, no peace, no racist police.” Upon reaching MLK plaza, protesters formed a circle, while leading activists gave speeches. The speeches addressed the need to fight for justice in the face of police brutality. Many student speakers denounced the corporate media for lying and distorting.

Jared Austin of Tampa Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) said, “Today was a great day for solidarity on the USF campus in regards to the Baltimore movement that is currently sweeping the nation out of anger and frustration over the execution of Freddie Gray. Today shed light on the fact that the U.S. has long been in need of systematic reform of the racist police institution that has terrorized the Black community for too long. While today was certainly a step in the right direction, we as students need to continue our solidarity and struggle in this fight against racist police and these brutal killings as they happen in our own communities. It’s time to truly show that black lives matter!”

The Tampa police department is in the center of a controversy involving the persecution of African American bicyclists.

“Racism is ingrained into American culture and society, there is no tiptoeing around or reforming it. Law enforcement is no exception. We came together because we wanted to stand in solidarity with Baltimore's Black community and condemn what is one of the many every day realities that they face. If we don't stand together against these atrocities, then nobody will, it is not optional, it is our moral duty as fellow human beings,” said George Nasser, a student at USF.

More Baltimore solidarity protests are planned over the next few days.

#TampaFL #StudentMovement #SDS #PoliceBrutality #UniversityOfSouthFlorida #Antiracism #FreddieGray #Baltimore

Houston, TX – The spark that began last September in Ferguson is now a prairie fire in Baltimore. Like people in many cities, Houston activists held an anti-police brutality rally in solidarity with Baltimore, April 29. Over 50 activists gathered in Houston’s Third Ward, a predominately African American neighborhood, to denounce the crimes of the Houston Police Department.

As elsewhere in the U.S., there is a long and continuing history of African Americans being brutalized by a racist police force. From when the Houston Police Department assassinated Carl Hampton, a leader of the Black Panthers in the 1970s, to the recent murder of African American man Jordan Baker. The police murder African Americans in Houston and get away with it.

The Houston police tried to be intimidating at the April 29 protest, with over 200 police, horses, a paddy wagon and an entire command station. The police threatened to arrest anyone crossing a Highway 288 bridge and closed all the major side streets. Police even flew a helicopter around, trying to scare the protesters away.

The activists were not intimidated at all and confronted the police, chanting, “Hands up, don't shoot!” “Black lives matter!” and “Hey, hey, ho, ho, racist police have got to go.”

People in the community watching were very supportive, some joined the protest and others provided water for the activists. As the African American freedom movement builds momentum, there will be more protests in Houston.

#HoustonTX #PeoplesStruggles #PoliceBrutality #Antiracism #FreddieGray #Baltimore

They chanted, “Can't stop, won't stop, til killer cops in cell blocks!” as well as, “Indict, convict, send those killer cops to jail. The whole damn system is guilty as hell.”

The organizer of the protest, Baltimore United, called for the arrest of the killer cops who murder African Americans as well as for an end to the Maryland Police Bill of Rights, a reactionary policy in Maryland that protects cops from paying for their crimes.

Danielle Williams, a Baltimore resident who attended the march said, “I'm here for my city and black people as a whole to stand for justice.”

Williams continued, “The police aren't here to protect us. They're here to protect property. They aren't here to protect us.”

Protesters have pledged to stay in the streets until justice is served.

#BaltimoreMD #AfricanAmerican #PoliceBrutality #FreddieGray #BaltimoreUnited

Minneapolis, MN – About 2500 people are marching through the streets here, on the evening of April 29, sending a powerful message of solidarity with the struggle against police terror in Baltimore.

A statement from protest organizers says, “We call upon Baltimore officials to conduct an investigation into the death of Freddie Gray. State sanctioned violence against Black people nationally must end.”

#MinneapolisMN #AfricanAmerican #PoliceBrutality #BlackLivesMatter #FreddieGray

Baltimore, MD – Protesters’ clashes with police continued throughout the evening of April 27 as police moved into West Baltimore, setting up blockades of riot police everywhere and stopping residents from coming and going freely where they live.

A rebellion is sweeping Baltimore in response to the police murder of Freddie Gray.

Police used tear gas, smoke bombs and the LRAD sound canons attempting to disperse protesters. Those efforts had little effect in stopping the people of West Baltimore. Some shouted at police, “Get out of our community.”

The governor of Maryland called in the National Guard an attempt to quell protests demanding justice for Freddy Gray. The city has issued a curfew throughout this week for Baltimore residents.

#BaltimoreMD #PoliceBrutality #FreddieGray #BaltimorePoliceDepartment

Baltimore, MD – High school students leaving school, protesting for Justice For Freddy Gray were met by Baltimore Police in riot gear on the afternoon of April 27. Police responded to the student protest near the Mondawin Mall on Baltimore's West side with well over 200 police officers in riot gear, who tear-gassed high school students when they didn't disperse. Police also shot rubber bullets into the crowd.

Students and youth met the riot police with rocks, throwing them from across the street as cops moved for arrests. However, most youth were successful at evading the police.

#BaltimoreMD #PoliceBrutality #FreddieGray

Baltimore, MD – Over 4000 protesters took to the streets here, April 25, shutting down major intersections, while demanding justice for Freddie Gray. The protests started in West Baltimore, where Gray lived and demonstrators marched all the way to City Hall where speakers gathered to address the crowd.

Police were out in force, wearing riot gear, seeking to intimidate protesters. The crowd marched through downtown, bringing the traffic to a grinding halt. The march was organized by several groups, such as the Baltimore People's Assembly, Baltimore Bloc as well as Black clergy. The mother of Freddie Gray spoke to the large crowd before the protest.

“I came out to support and unite with demands that the six officers who killed Gray be arrested,” said Kevin Banatte, an activist from Washington D.C. “Cops have been killing us for too long and it's time we organized and fought back.”

Protests are expected to continue throughout the upcoming week. Make sure to visit fightbacknews.org for future updates.

#BaltimoreMD #PoliceBrutality #PeoplesStruggles #FreddieGray

Baltimore, MD – Hundreds of Baltimore residents took to the streets for the fourth consecutive day, April 22, demanding justice for Freddie Gray. Gray was an African American man murdered while in Baltimore police custody. Protesters held a long marched from West Baltimore to City Hall, shutting down major intersections along the way, chanting, “All night, all day, we gonna fight for Freddie Gray.”

Protesters demanded the six police officers involved with Gray's murder be arrested and jailed for their crimes. They chanted, “We want all six!”

“Cops don't appreciate our lives. Police suppose to protect us but are the ones that are killing us,” said Joseph Snowden, long-time West Baltimore resident. “All we have is ourselves.”

Protesters attempted to march on Interstate 83 but were met with police car barricades and officers in formation. Protesters then marched back to the Western District Police Department headquarters, joining other demonstrators already gathered. Speakers called for more actions until justice is done and the six police are arrested and jailed.

#BaltimoreMD #PoliceBrutality #PeoplesStruggles #Antiracism #FreddieGray

Baltimore, MD – On the evening of April 21, over 1000 community members in West Baltimore met on the corner of Mount Street and Presbury. The angry crowd marched on the Western District of the Baltimore Police Department. Protesters marched demanding justice for Freddie Gray, an African American man murdered by police.

Gray was forced to the ground and then abused by Baltimore Police on April 12. While being detained, Gray's voice box was crushed and his spine damaged by police. Gray died of the spinal injury one week later on April 19 after lapsing into a coma.

Protesters chanted, “Tell the truth and stop the lies, Freddie Gray didn't have to die” as well as “No justice, no peace!”

The family of Freddie Gray called for the action. Other organizations such as the Baltimore Bloc, Baltimore People's Power Assembly and local African American clergy played a role as well. Protesters demanded that the Baltimore Police stop lying about the accounts of what happened to Gray while he was in police custody. Marchers called for the cops involved in Gray's brutal arrest and murder to be arrested and charged.

Those killer cops are Lt. Brian Rice, 41, who joined the department in 1997; Officer Caesar Goodson, 45, who joined in 1999; Sgt. Alicia White, 30, who joined in 2010; Officer William Porter, 25, who joined in 2012; Officer Garrett Miller, 26, who joined in 2012; and Officer Edward Nero, 29, who joined in 2012. Community members at the protest where outraged by the murder of Gray and promised more action until police terror in Baltimore is brought to an end. Eniubong Iniunam expressed the view of many people who live in West Baltimore, “I'm out here to support. There have been so many protests and this one hit real close to home. I saw pictures of the victim. I knew this kid. He's from here. I can be seriously next”. Baltimore Bloc, one of the groups leading protests said in a statement, “Baltimore Bloc stands in solidarity with the victims of this week's police violence and all the victims of the vicious, bloodthirsty gang known as the Baltimore Police Department. We will do everything in our power to bring this killing spree to an end.” Police detained one of the Baltimore Bloc organizers at the start of the protest, only releasing him when the protest ended.

#BaltimoreMD #BalitmoreMD #PoliceBrutality #NationalOppression #FreddieGray #BaltimorePoliceDepartment