On May 23, Baltimore City Police Officer Edward Nero was acquitted of all charges against him in the death of Freddie Gray. The Open Society Institute released a statement on the opportunities to advance justice in Baltimore.
“As people who live in and love Baltimore wrestle with the outcome of the second trial in the death of Freddie Gray, many may question whether the door is closing on our collective opportunity to advance justice in Baltimore. The answer is a resounding no.
“It’s important to demand that each officer answer for his and her role in Gray’s death. The trials, however, are not enough to prevent racially unjust and injurious arrests, regardless of the verdicts. The problems that led to Gray’s death are systemic and demand systemic solutions. Thus, as the trials wind their way through the court system, it is imperative that that we broaden our focus and commit to dismantling the larger systems of structural racism and poverty that endanger communities across Baltimore every single day.”