Skip to Content

Civil Rights Group Calls to End Militarized, Aggressive Police Techniques and Criminalization of Protesters in Baltimore

Demands immediate firing, arrest and full prosecution of all officers responsible for Freddie Gray killing

For Immediate Release: April 28, 2015

Contacts:

Michele Setteducato, 732-614-3818, michele@fitzgibbonmedia.com

Kayla Keller, 281-682-6212, kayla@fitzgibbonmedia.com

Arisha Hatch, Managing Director of Campaigns, ColorOfChange.org issued the following statement:

“We strongly condemn the militarized and aggressive policing tactics currently being deployed in Baltimore, as well as the one-sided and unjust criminalization of protesters in mainstream media. The National Guard, tear gas, riot gear and militarized tanks will do nothing to address the systemic crisis of violence, corruption and racism within Baltimore law enforcement, or the decimation of accessible housing and jobs in recent years. In fact, Governor Hogan’s decision to ramp up law enforcement puts residents in greater danger of unjust arrest and abuse at the hands of police.

“As revealed in a comprehensive expose by the Baltimore Sun, in just 5 years, 100 residents have won court judgements relating to police brutality and civil rights. Amongst them, a pregnant woman slammed to the ground and kneeled in the back by police; A 15-year-old boy riding a bike; A Black grandmother who had the skin ripped off her face. Almost none of these officers were charged.”

“It has been more than two weeks since police killed Freddie Gray and no one has been arrested for his killing. Two weeks and the most basic of questions remain unanswered. In the face of a family who violently lost a loved one, a community forced to face yet another traumatizing police killing, calls for calm ring hollow.”

“Pres. Obama and newly confirmed Attorney General Loretta Lynch must take immediate action to protect the first amendment rights of protestors and end the various federal policies and practices that fuel militarized police violence on the state and local level. We also urge the Department of Justice and Baltimore State Attorney Marilyn Mosby to prosecute all police officers involved in the killing of Freddie Gray and overhaul the policing culture and policies that lead to this death.”

###

With over 1 million members, ColorOfChange.org is the nation’s largest online civil rights organization.

Back to top

Make A Gift To Fuel The Fight For Justice!

Donate