More than a dozen civil and religious groups calling for police reform in Baltimore will embark Monday on "Freedom Rides" to Annapolis to spread their message in the state's capital.
The effort — which includes the ACLU of Maryland, Amnesty International and local healthworkers union 1199 SEIU — was scheduled around the first meeting of the Legislative Public Safety and Policing Workgroup, a task force created by legislators in Annapolis to study public safety issues highlighted by the death of Freddie Gray.
Gray, 25, was arrested April 12 and sustained a spinal cord injury while in police custody. His death on April 19 sparked protests across the city. Hours after his funeral a week later, rioting and looting broke out in the city.
The groups gathering Monday said they will "set out acceptable principles for police reform" at a news conference in Baltimore at 11 a.m. before heading to Annapolis.
The task force is set to meet at 1 p.m.
According to the ACLU, the event will also include Bmore United, CASA, Communities United, Council on American-Islamic Relations, Empowerment Temple, Jews United for Justice, Justice League, Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle, Pleasant Hope Baptist Church, Southern Elections Foundation, Ujima People's Progress, and Universal Zulu Nation.
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