America
Riots break out in Baltimore over black man's custodial death
Washington, April 24
Protests in Baltimore
city of Maryland state over the death of an African American man due to
injuries sustained while in police custody have resulted in arrests and
clashes between police and demonstrators.
Two people were
arrested for "public disorder and destruction of property", said
Baltimore police on Thursday and television images showed protesters
scuffling with police and surrounding a police car, Efe news agency
reported.
Several roads in the Baltimore city were closed to
traffic due to protests by more than a hundred people, mostly African
Americans.
Demonstrators marched from city hall to a police station.
Freddie
Gray was detained on April 12 before being hospitalised with a severe
spinal injury which left him in a coma until his death on Sunday.
Six
police officers were suspended on Monday while authorities in Baltimore
determine how Gray was injured and whether or not the police officers
were involved.
Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony Batts met Gray's family on Thursday to tell them of progress with the investigation.
The case has added to existing tensions between police and the African American community.
At least four unarmed black men have died at the hands of police in the last few months at different locations across the US.