Protests Return to Baltimore After 12 Arrested Overnight

Arrests of protesters carried out by Baltimore police in the City Hall building the previous night triggered calls for new rallies in Baltimore.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The city of Baltimore, Maryland is facing a new wave of rallies after at least 12 protesters were arrested overnight for occupying the City Hall building, the US student activist group City Bloc said on Thursday.

“8am support rally is now a FREEDOM rally,” the group said in a Twitter message. “Support #CityHallShutDown students at City Hall #BaltimoreUprising.”

Baltimore police carried out arrests at the City Hall after the activists occupied the building protesting against the permanent appointment of Baltimore’s interim police commissioner Kevin Davis.

The protesters also demanded changes to the city’s police tactics and more investment in social services and education, according to media reports.

The City Bloc said the arrested activists had no food or water for at least 10 hours and urged the public to demand fairness.

Davis was appointed interim top policeman in July, after Commissioner Anthony Batts was fired amid riots in Baltimore following the death of African-American man Freddie Gray in April from injuries he sustained in police custody.