Boehner: Freddie Gray’s death represents national crisis

Speaker Boehner talks with Chuck Todd at NBC News’ “Meet the Press”.

John Boehner, speaker of the House of Representatives, has described the exacerbating relationship between law enforcement and the African-American community as a national crisis.

“I think that if you look at what’s happened in the course of the last year, you just have to scratch your head,” Boehner said on NBC News’ “Meet the Press.”

When asked whether he thought a crisis exists in the country, he said “I do.”

The top Republican was referring to the recent protests over the death of African-American Freddie Gray in police custody.

Gray, 25, died of a severe spine injury on April 19, a week after he was arrested and detained by Baltimore police.

Baltimore's chief prosecutor said Friday that Gray “suffered a severe and critical neck injury as a result of being handcuffed, shackled by his feet and unrestrained” by the arresting officers.

Marilyn J. Mosby also announced that the officers were charged in the high-profile death of Gray.

Protesters took to the streets celebrating the announcement, marching, singing, dancing and shouting slogans against police brutality and racism.

Boehner called the situation troubling, saying “public servants should not violate the law. If these charges are true, it’s outrageous and it’s unacceptable.”

Baltimore police implemented a state-imposed curfew for the sixth consecutive night on Saturday. However, some protesters defied the curfew and several were arrested.

Andre Powell, 60, a Maryland state employee who was among the demonstrators said “It’s not over.” He added, “The officers haven’t been put on trial. They haven’t spent a day in jail. We’ve only won one battle.”

Instances of police brutality--captured by smartphones, dashboard cameras and CCTV-- have greatly damaged the trust of Americans, especially African Americans, in law enforcement agencies in the US.

The killing of several unarmed black men by white police officers in recent months and decisions by grand juries not to indict the officers have triggered large-scale protests across country.

AT/HRJ


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