On Monday, April 27th, Freddie Gray was laid to rest. The young man’s death has been the behind the recent protests in Baltimore.
The young man’s death was the result of suspicious circumstances at the hands of the Baltimore Police Department and the cops who effected his arrest. It was obvious by many that Freddy Gray was a healthy man who was in good physical condition prior to him running from the police. The only thing that could be ascertained was the fact that Gray made eye contact with the cops moments before he started running. He probably was in fear of something and whatever that was should not have resulted in his death and his family as well as the community are demanding answers.
The funeral brought out many of Freddie Gray’s family and loved ones. Legendary community Activist Reverend Jessie Jackson was in attendance as well as House Representative Elijah Cummings of Maryland. Yesterday, the life of Gray was celebrated and speakers had some powerful words over the situation.
Dr. Jamal Bryant said, “He was a threat simply because he was man enough to look someone of authority in the eye. I want to tell this grieving mother to have your pulse checked out because you are not burying a boy but burying a grown man.Knowing one of the principles of being a man is looking someone in the eye.” Adding to the strong statement, Rev. Jessie Jackson stated, “The Baltimore police became the pall bearers …turned a paddy-wagon into a tombstone.” He also called Gray a martyr and “through it all keep hope”.
The death of Gray has ignited racial tensions as another black man dies at the hands of authority. The anger of the citizens of Baltimore is justifiable as their community has long been ignored along with problems with law enforcement. Keep Freddie Gray in your hearts and memory when you protest and change the system that allows injustice to continue.
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