270 arrested as marchers protest police violence in Baltimore, New York

Thousands of demonstrators marched in Baltimore and New York on Wednesday demanding justice and police reform as 3,000 troops stood by to enforce a curfew imposed after Monday’s civil unrest over the death of a 25-year-old black man. The large peaceful protest that converged on city hall capped a day of calm in Baltimore, which saw its worst rioting in decades two days earlier. Marchers said they seek answers about the fate of Freddie Gray, who died after suffering spinal injuries while in police custody, while also highlighting the need to change policing practices in the largely black city.

Can’t stop, won’t stop, put killer cops in cell blocks.

Chants of protestors on New York and Baltimore’s streets

New York City police arrested at least three people after hundreds of protesters gathered in Union Square and some of them tried to cross barriers to march through the streets. Boston, Washington and Minneapolis saw smaller demonstrations. Republican Governor Larry Hogan said protesters must respect the nighttime curfew, and that troops would not tolerate looting or rioting. Nineteen buildings and dozens of cars burned in Baltimore on Monday in a spasm of violence.

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