On Wednesday, April 29, over 1,000 people gathered in New York City to protest the death of Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old black man who died two weeks earlier while in the custody of Baltimore police. According to Newsweek, the protest, arranged by the Millions March NYC Coalition, began in Union Square with several speakers addressing the crowd, including family of Eric Garner. Shortly after, demonstrators split into two groups — one group marched south toward the Hudson River, while the other marched north toward Times Square.
Demonstrators marched through Times Square on the evening of Wednesday, April 29 protesting the death of Freddie Gray. Traffic was disrupted. Several held up signs, many chanted. Around the same time, peaceful protests were occurring in Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Boston, Houston, Ferguson, MO, Minneapolis, and Indianapolis.
Autopsy reports revealed that Gray died from a spinal cord injury on April 19 after being arrested a week earlier by Baltimore police officers on April 12. Demonstrators walked through the streets of Times Square, preventing a city bus from passing.
Baltimore state attorney Marilyn J. Mosby filed several charges against the six police officers responsible for Gray’s death. Hundreds flooded the streets of Times Square. New York City Police Officers blew their whistles and yelled at incoming demonstrators to keep off the streets. After several minutes most officers gave up on removing protesters from the streets and allowed them to peacefully pass. Officers still followed closely.
Earlier this month it was announced that the Department of Justice will begin a federal civil rights’ investigation of the Baltimore Police Department. Demonstrators weaved through traffic in Times Square. Several passersby separated NYPD barricades along the sidewalks to join in on the march.
A young woman walks between taxis chanting and holding up a picture of 11-year-old Briana Ojeda. Briana died in 2012 from an asthma attack as her mother, Carmen Ojeda, attempted to rush her to the hospital. Ojeda tried to seek the help of NYPD officer Alfonso Mendez who at the time claimed he did not know CPR. Briana, later was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Many demonstrators came directly from work and school to show their support. The march left Times Square and headed West on 47th Street.
Around 9 P.M. a few stragglers trickled into Times Square. Millions March NYC organizers yelled out on loudspeakers, urging demonstrators to fill the gaps and stay together. By the end of the night over 100 people were arrested for a variety of reasons, from obstructing traffic to assaulting NYPD officers.
