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Nearly a decade has passed since the tragic death of Freddie Gray, and an event held in downtown Baltimore on Friday aimed to honor his memory while emphasizing the ongoing need for reforms in policing practices.
The event, entitled Still Rising 10 Years After Freddie Gray’s Death, was organized by the Gibson-Banks Center for Race and the Law, part of the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law.
Among the speakers were the attorney representing Gray’s family, a former deputy police commissioner, and various representatives from community organizations.
Reflecting on Freddie Gray
The attendees expressed disbelief at how quickly the past ten years had gone by.
Attorney Billy Murphy, who served as the legal advocate for Grey’s family, highlighted how this anniversary is especially difficult for them, particularly for Gray’s twin sister, Fredericka Gray.
Murphy shared that Fredericka has struggled with her grief, stating, “She can hardly sleep. They were twins, they were born 14 minutes apart.”
Urgency for Change
Murphy and other speakers acknowledged that while Freddie Gray’s death did lead to some vital changes, such as the introduction of a consent decree and a body camera initiative, significant challenges remain.
“Public safety is still not where we want it to be,” remarked Monique Dixon, executive director of the Gibson-Banks Center. “We are committed to ensuring that public safety is a right for all individuals, irrespective of race, color, or national origin.”
Former Baltimore Police Deputy Commissioner Melvin Russell, who was deeply involved during the period of unrest following Gray’s death, reflected on the dual pain he experienced for both the community and law enforcement.
Russell retired in 2019 and believes that while the consent decree has been beneficial, its implementation has been sluggish.
After eight years of oversight, the city and police department are still working to conclude oversight in two particular areas, a milestone that would mark a significant step in the consent decree’s history. A federal court hearing is scheduled for next week regarding this matter.
“Don’t drag your feet; don’t treat it like a cash cow that’s coming off the back of taxpayers mostly,” Russell urged.
In his speech, Murphy also criticized the administration of former President Trump, particularly the efforts to dismantle federal police oversight.
He urged the community to rekindle the activism that followed Gray’s death and to drive change on a national scale, stating, “This is going to be a long, long fight. We cannot feel fulfilled until we address the injustices happening across the country.”
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