The case against six police officers charged in the
death of Freddie Gray will begin Wednesday, and activists and protestors are expected to take to the streets. Social justice organizations and community groups will protest at the courthouse and other locations and some have asked their communities and members to engage in nonviolent acts of civil disobedience.
Wednesday's preliminary hearing has the potential to significantly affect the case. The defense has filed a motion to dismiss and is also requesting that Baltimore State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby be recused due to what they allege is prosecutorial misconduct. According to the Baltimore Sun:
The defense says Mosby misstepped when she announced the charges against the six officers in language they say was fiery and in violation of state laws governing prosecutors' statements on pending cases.
The defense attorneys have said Mosby's public announcement tainted the pool of potential jurors.
The defense will also ask for six separate trials, while the prosecution will request two, with four officers tried in one case and two officers in the other. No witnesses are expected to take the stand on Wednesday.
Protestors and activists in Baltimore have been vocal in their call for prosecution of all six officers who arrested and killed Freddie Gray by severing his spine. Community leaders are encouraging peaceful protests as the case moves forward.
Still, some are concerned about the reaction of Baltimore police. The Baltimore police department has ordered more protective gear and been trained on crowd control and riot response in the wake of the previous protest in Baltimore. However, protestors are determined to move forward regardless of potential police intimidation. Stated Sharon Black of the Baltimore People's Power Assembly:
Black said the event will be peaceful but that activists will not be cowed by the "militarization" of police or any "disconcerting" attempts to interfere with their First Amendment rights to assemble and speak their minds.
"It's not going to have a chilling effect on us as activists in terms of protesting," she said.
We'll be following this case over the coming days and months.