Baltimore protest demands justice in police killing of black man

People demonstrate in the US city of Baltimore, demanding justice for Freddie Gray, an African-American who died in police custody last year.

Protesters in the US State of Maryland have rallied to mark the first anniversary of the death of a Baltimore African American man in police custody.

Crowds of local residents, clergy, politicians and media workers gathered for a unity march at a cultural center constructed in memory of Freddie Gray.

The demonstrators said the violence that erupted in the wake of Gray’s death should not be repeated. They also called on city authorities to heed their demands, including more jobs, better educational opportunities and the revival of Baltimore’s black communities.

Freddie Gray died in police custody under disputed circumstances. His death sparked nationwide protests.

On the day he was buried, the city erupted in chaos, looting and arson. Governor Larry Horgan deployed the National Guard, and Rawlings-Blake established a weeklong curfew.

The Baltimore Police Department and the state’s attorney have both declined to comment on the lawsuits.

Police brutality has become a major concern across the nation in recent years.

The US Justice Department is under pressure to review the use of brute force by law enforcement officers.

A recent study has found that almost half of the people who die at the hands of the US police have some kind of mental or physical disability. The findings also reveal that most of the victims have been killed in situations where lethal force was not needed.

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