Protests Planned Around Freddie Gray Hearing Wednesday
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- As hearings start in the Freddie Gray case, protests will get underway outside the courthouse.
Christie Ileto looks ahead to what's planned for Wednesday morning.
In just hours, activists are expected to flood Calvert Street, bringing with them what they call a very powerful, but peaceful message.
The word is out: People's Power Assembly plans to flood the streets outside the downtown courthouse, demanding no change in venue, to keep Marilyn Mosby on the case and that the charges stick for the six accused officers involved in Freddie Gray's April arrest.
By Wednesday afternoon, more than 400 people on Facebook plan to turn up.
"The killers of Freddie Gray must go to jail and be prosecuted," said Lee Patterson, People's Power Assembly.
Across town, "full charges nothing less" is what Elisha McCahail is writing on her sign.
"I grew up in Baltimore, and quite frankly, this justice system is a laughing stock," she said.
Protest organizers say they'll have to play it by ear as far as how long they'll be outside the courthouse. Who shows up, the sentiment and what's happening inside will all be a factor.
"If they drop the charges, there's going to be a response of anger from the community because part of the expectation is that justice will occur in this case," said Sharon Black.
Click here to read more about the legal aspect of the hearing and what the motions could mean.
Ileto: "There's a concern that these protests could escalate to what we saw on April 27. Have you heard anything like that?"
Black: "No. We haven't heard anything like that, and actually, we think [the preparations] are overkill on the part of the police department."
Department brass are preparing for any outcome, but organizers insist Wednesday's demonstrations will be peaceful.
Click here to read more about police preparations.
"The department was caught off guard by an event that hadn't happened in 47 years," said Interim Baltimore Police Commissioner Kevin Davis.
Protests will start Wednesday at 8 a.m. outside the courthouse. They're also expected to take place at another hearing on Thursday, September 10.
WJZ spoke to other grass roots groups who say they may demonstrate in neighborhoods not impacted by the riots, but wouldn't reveal specific locations.