After Baltimore Riots, Towson Rallies Around Freddie Gray

Despite the fact that three malls closed in Baltimore County on Tuesday, Police Chief Jim Johnson said there was no need for businesses and citizens to modify their plans after the Baltimore City riots.

“We have experienced no unusual activity here, and there are no indications that anything unusual is planned,” Johnson said at approximately 5 p.m. on Wednesday.

More than 100 students at Towson University marched across campus Wednesday afternoon from Freedom Square with their arms linked, chanting ”All night, all day we will fight for Freddie Gray” and “No justice, no peace,” according to The Towerlight, Towson’s student newspaper.

The students joined scores of others calling for justice in the case of Freddie Gray, the 25-year-old Baltimore man who died in Baltimore Police custody April 19 from a spinal injury.

• Freddie Gray Was a ‘Martyr,’ Jesse Jackson Says at Funeral
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• Owings Mills, Security Square Malls Close as ‘Purge’ Rumors Continue
• Baltimore Riots Pose ‘No Credible Threats’ to Baltimore County, Officials Say

Towson University Police and Student Affairs staff were on hand at the peaceful protest, according to Towson University.

Many reported seeing helicopters overhead during a demonstration. That type of activity is “not unusual at all,” according to Baltimore County Police spokeswoman Elise Armacost, who said the department uses aviation for daily patrols.

After the 3 p.m. event in Towson, students traveled to Baltimore City for a 5:45 p.m. rally at Penn Station, where they joined their peers from Johns Hopkins and Loyola universities to march to City Hall.

Baltimore Police said travelers should expect delays on roads around Penn Station, in a statement at 5:35 p.m.

Demonstration at Towson University on Wednesday, April 29. Photo Credit: JR.

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