Obama on Baltimore: 'Justice needs to be served'

Protesters gather after Freddie Gray's death
(Image credit: Mark Makela/Stringer/Getty Images)

After Baltimore State's Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby announced Friday that the death of Freddie Gray, who died of a spinal injury while in policy custody, has been ruled a homicide, President Obama weighed in on the situation in Baltimore.

In taped comments from the White House, Obama said that "it is absolutely vital that the truth comes out on what happened" to Gray. He added that while he couldn't comment on the case's legal processes, "justice needs to be served."

"In the meantime, I'm gratified we've seen the constructive, thoughtful protests that have been taking place — peaceful, but clear calls for accountability that those have been managed over the last couple of days in a way that's ultimately positive for Baltimore and positive for the country," Obama said. "And I hope that approach to nonviolent protest and community engagement continues."

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
Explore More

Meghan DeMaria is a staff writer at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked for USA Today and Marie Claire.