A shocking and disturbing turn of events in the public protests of the death of Freddie Gray, who died while in the custody of the Baltimore Police. It was discovered today that Baltimore Police Union issued a memo describing the protests of African-American Freddie Gray as a “lynch mob,” and stated that the Baltimore Police Union was “not concerned with the community’s confidence in the investigation.”

Protesters in Baltimore, Maryland have been protesting the death of Freddie Gray, the 25-year-old man who died Sunday, April 19, 2015. after sustaining a spinal cord injury while in police custody a week earlier. Human rights leader Jesse Jackson has encouraged peaceful protests of the death of Freddie Gray.

Baltimore, MD: Freddie Gray Died of Spinal Injuries after Arrest by Baltimore Police (Source: Google)

News reports have described that Freddie Gray was hospitalized in critical condition. The Baltimore Sun reported on witness Kevin Moore, who was present when Mr. Gray was being arrested, stating: “Moore said he found his friend handcuffed, ‘screaming for his life,’ and planted face down on the ground with one Baltimore bicycle police officer’s knee on his neck and the other bicycle officer bending his legs backward so that Gray’s heels were in his back. ‘They had him folded up like he was a crab or a piece of origami. He was all bent up,’ Moore said.”

The Atlantic reports that “The police say Gray didn’t resist arrest and that officers didn’t use force, which seems to be mostly corroborated by video shot by bystanders. Gray seems to shout in pain, and his leg seems injured as officers drag him to a police van. (Someone off camera shouts, ‘His leg broke and y’all dragging him like that!’) Gray also had asthma and requested his inhaler, but didn’t get it. Yet it’s not the leg or the asthma that killed him. Instead, it was a grave injury to his spinal cord. Gray’s family said he was treated for three fractured vertebrae and a crushed voice box, the sorts of injuries that doctors say are usually caused by serious car accidents. ”

But when the public has protested the Baltimore Police’s handling of this arrest and Mr. Gray’s subsequent death, the Baltimore Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Union Lodge 3 issued a statement privately that read, in part, that protesters are equivalent to a “lynch mob,” and that “we are not concerned with the community’s confidence in the investigation.”

Baltimore Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 3 Issues Statement Equating Protests Against Death During Police Arrest with “Lynchings” (Source: Twitter)

R.E.A.L. has provided a response to such views by the Baltimore FOP Union Lodge 3, which reject the universal human rights which we have agreed to as a nation. As we are concerned with the universal human rights of our brothers and sisters in humanity around the world, certainly we are also responsible for defending the universal human rights of Americans

Below is R.E.A.L.’s letter on April 23 to the Baltimore FOP Union Lodge 3, regarding the FOP’s comments, which we also sent to the Maryland State legislators that the Baltimore FOP union is seeking to influence via lobbying efforts. Brooke E. Lierman, Maryland Delegate, District 46 (Baltimore City) replied: “Thanks for the cc. I was at the protest today in Baltimore and it was very orderly and went well I thought. I am also concerned about some of the comments – I appreciate your email.”

R.E.A.L.’s April 23 Letter to Baltimore Police Union

Large protest groups have gathered in Baltimore, MD to protest this police action, which has resulted in the death of Freddie Gray.  R.E.A.L. supports the peaceful protest of our fellow citizens in America and any part of the world calling for such basic dignity in treatment as human beings, and support for our shared universal human rights.

Baltimore Protests – April 23, 2015 – Protests Against Freddie Gray’s Death in Police Custody (Source: CNN)

Freddie Gray Protests in Baltimore (Source: AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Maryland Governor Hogan has sent 32 Maryland state police troopers to support the police activity outside of protests in Baltimore.

R.E.A.L. supports the peaceful protests of all people regarding injustice and oppression, and calls for consistent universal human rights for all people around the world.