Baltimore Protests 2015 - "Victory" Rally Gathers Crowds In the Streets [News Updates]

Thousands of people gathered in Baltimore City for a "Victory Rally."

The rally was held to celebrate the decision by Baltimore's top prosecutor to file criminal charges against the six police officers who were involved in the death of a black man, 25-year-old Freddie Gray, while in their custody according to Al Jazeera. The officers turned themselves in on the afternoon of May 1. The criminal charges against them ranged from second-degree murder to assault. The six policemen were released later on bonds that ranged from $250,000 to $350,000.

Al Jazeera wrote that Gray died due to spinal injuries one week after he was arrested on April 12, 2015. This caused public outrage and protests in the city streets. The Maryland state attorney, Marilyn Mosby, said that Gray was illegally arrested and he broke his neck after being handcuffed, shackled and placed head-first into a police van, based on the same Al Jazeera report. Mosby added that the police falsely accused Gray of carrying an illegal switchblade when the deceased only possessed a legal pocketknife.

The riots and looting in Baltimore started on April 27 but four days after, people were rejoicing in the streets after Mosby made the announcement to bring an action in court.

John Hendren of Al Jazeera reported that it is actually rare in the United States to have a police officer charged with homicide and even rarer to actually convict them. He added that the issue was not racial but about abusive police officers.

Michael Davey, lawyer for the accused policemen, stated that Mosby rushed in her decision to charge the officers.

Davey said in the Al Jazeera article, "We have grave concerns about the fairness and integrity of the prosecution of our officers."

Richard Shipley, Gray's stepfather, said in the same Al Jazeera piece, "We are satisfied with today's charges. These charges are an important step in getting justice for Freddie."

ABC reported that a curfew from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. was placed since April 28 and will continue. The Maryland national guard said that almost 3,000 soldiers and airmen were prepared to maintain peace in Baltimore. Baltimore Sun wrote that the curfew will most likely continue until authorities are certain that people in the streets and neighborhoods can stay safe. The Baltimore Police Department and other city agencies are also monitoring costs to submit to the federal government, to be possibly reimbursed for emergency response expenses.