Protesters March, Voicing Frustrations On Porter Hung Jury
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A mistrial in the case of Officer William Porter. He is the first of six officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray.
Rick Ritter with more on Wednesday night's demonstrations.
What started out as a small group of protesters quickly grew to 100.
Despite two people being arrested by the Baltimore Sheriff's Office and multiple attempts to block traffic, demonstrations were calm and peaceful—exactly what everyone was hoping for.
Just minutes after a mistrial was declared Wednesday, protesters took to the streets.
What started as a small group quickly turned to dozens.
"I kind of expected this, based on a deadlock. I didn't see this as a good thing," said Pastor Westley West.
Voicing their frustrations on a hung jury.
"Anger first, and then just disappointment," said Arthur Johnson.
Outside the courthouse, WJZ cameras caught two people being arrested by the Baltimore Sheriff's Office, leaving tensions high at one point.
Come nightfall, the group reassembled and made its way towards I-83, where they were met by police.
While some tried blocking traffic, officers stood shoulder to shoulder, making sure demonstrators remained lawful, before they spilled over to City Hall.
Their frustrations extend beyond the death of Freddie Gray.
"If we want our voices heard, we need to speak in action, and actions need to happen in these communities," said Munir Bahar, 300 Men March.
The two arrests came from the Baltimore Sheriff's Office, not the Baltimore Police Department.
Police did not want to monitor protests and didn't throughout the night until they attempted to become unlawful by blocking traffic.