Protestors Rally Downtown Demanding Indictment Of Ferguson Officer
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Dozens march in the streets of Baltimore in a show of support for the people of Ferguson, Missouri, where calls for justice continue after the police shooting of an African-American teenager two weeks ago.
Derek Valcourt explains Saturday's protests in Baltimore and Ferguson remained peaceful.
The rally in Baltimore was one of several around the country, demanding justice in the Michael Brown case and calling for the indictment of the officer involved.
Dozens made the short march from Baltimore City Hall to police headquarters in a show of support for the people in Ferguson, Missouri, where two weeks of protests over the shooting of unarmed teenager Michael Brown have at times turned violent.
"We here in Baltimore can relate to their pain. We've lost people in this city to police brutality. We want to send a message of unity and solidarity, saying that we stand with them in their moment of pain," said Elder C.D. Witherspoon, Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
Police say minutes after Brown shoved a convenient store clerk and stole a box of cigars, he scuffled with Officer Darren Wilson and charged at him. Autopsy reports show Brown was shot six times.
"He took my son away for nothing," Brown's mother, Lesley McSpadden, said.
"My son had his hands up," said his father, Michael Brown, Sr.
In Ferguson Saturday, NAACP youth leaders marched in Michael Brown's name, calling for unity. While in south St. Louis, a group of about 200 gathered to show support for Officer Wilson, saying his actions were warranted and justified.
"We want him to know that we're on his side. There is a side out there that's rooting for him and the rule of law," said Officer Wilson supporter Wes Kelly.
Wilson now faces the possibility that he could be criminally indicted by a grand jury. It's something protestors in Ferguson and even right here in Baltimore are demanding.
"We're hoping that Officer Wilson is charged with first-degree murder to send a message that the system will not tolerate this type of brutality," Witherspoon said.
Organizers say they will hold another rally and in Baltimore at 5 p.m. Monday at city hall. That's the same day Michael Brown is set to be laid to rest.
The White House is expected to announce Sunday that the president will order a review of the federal programs that allow local law enforcement agencies to acquire military equipment. That decision comes amid outcry use of military grade equipment by police during the riots in Ferguson.
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