The Rev. Al Sharpton said Monday he plans to visit Baltimore this week to help push police for answers in the death of Freddie Gray.
The New York-based civil rights activist also wants to plan a two-day march in May from Baltimore to Washington, expressing frustration in the lack of answers into Gray's death. Gray, who died April 19 after suffering a spinal cord injury while in police custody, was buried Monday.
"I have been asked by many in the Baltimore area since Day 1 to get involved in the justice for Freddie Gray movement," Sharpton said in a statement.
Sharpton, president of the National Action Network, said he's discussed the situation on his radio and TV shows and been in touch with activists in Baltimore, but he's resisted becoming personally involved. That changed, he said, when he learned that a report on Gray's death may not be released Friday.
Police Commissioner Anthony W. Batts has said police expect to present a report on Gray's death to the state's attorney's office by Friday, but officials have not said when the report will be made public.
"I am saddened and disappointed that there ... may not be a report released on May 1," Sharpton said.
Sharpton said the march from Baltimore to Washington is designed to bring Gray's case — as well as others before him, including Walter Scott, who was shot by a police officer in North Charleston, S.C. — to the attention of Loretta Lynch, the new U.S. attorney general.
"Ms. Lynch, in her new role that we all supported, must look and intervene in these cases," Sharpton said. "Justice delayed is justice denied."
Sharpton was invited to Baltimore by the Rev. Westley West of Faith Empowered Ministries, among others.
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