Freddie Gray protests in US cities

• 30 April 2015
• From the section US & Canada

Protests are taking place in several US cities over Freddie Gray, whose death from injuries sustained in police custody has stoked unrest in Baltimore.

Several hundred people have gathered in New York’s Union Square and another rally is taking place in Washington DC.

Demonstrations have also been reported in Boston and Minneapolis.

A national debate over the use of police force has been going on since last summer, when a black teenager was killed in Ferguson, Missouri.

The US Department of Justice has opened an investigation into the death of Gray, who suffered fatal spinal injuries when arrested by police.

His funeral took place on Monday and was followed by widespread rioting, arson and looting.

Since then a curfew has been in place on the streets of Baltimore from 22:00 to 05:00.

Hours before the second night of curfew, on Wednesday evening, a large march made its way through Baltimore’s streets.

In New York, where protesters said they were demonstrating in solidarity with the people of Baltimore, police made a dozen arrests.

Protesters chanted “no justice, no peace” and “hands up, don’t shoot”.

How Gray got his injuries is unclear. As well as the Department of Justice investigation, a separate internal inquiry is being conducted by the police.

The preliminary results of that police probe will not be released on Friday, as was expected, it has emerged.

Six police officers have been suspended with pay while this investigation is carried out.

Police timeline of Freddie Gray’s arrest

• Sunday, 12 April, 0839: Officers approach Gray and he flees on foot
• 0840: Gray arrested on corner of Presbury Street, Sandtown
• 0842: Police request a van
• 0854: Van departs with Gray inside, conscious and speaking
• 0924: Police request paramedics to take Gray to hospital

What we know about Gray’s death