NAACP Holds Press Conference to Discuss Death of Freddie Gray and Announce Satellite Office

Baltimore Branch NAACP “Satellite Office” in Sandtown neighborhood will collect complaints of racial profiling and police abuse

BALTIMORE, MD — The Baltimore Branch NAACP, supported by the NAACP Maryland State Conference and the National NAACP office, held a press conference to discuss the latest developments in the death of Freddie Gray. The Association also announced the opening of a new satellite office at 1135 N Gilmor Street that will receive and document complaints from residents about cases and incidents of police brutality and racial profiling to help inform the Justice Department’s investigation into issues of police misconduct by the Baltimore Police Department. Trained staff, including representatives from the legal department of the national NAACP office, will be available for complaint intake and to provide training/presentations to the community on “Knowing your Rights.”

From Cornell William Brooks, NAACP President and CEO:

I would like to begin by offering words of consolation and sympathy to a family that lost their son. As the father of two teenage sons, I can only imagine the profound loss and the heart breaking sense of sadness that comes with losing your child.

This morning, we begin by noting a profound sense of anger. We see a young man, who is not carrying a weapon or drugs. We are not yet certain about what constituted probable cause such that he was detained, and yet we note that this young man had three crushed vertebrae, that led to a coma and ultimately his death.

There is a sense of anger in this community. But the story of the NAACP over the course of our 106 years is that we have frequently moved beyond anger to action. We have moved out of a sense of righteous indignation towards a sense of righteous action. The opening of this satellite office is very much a sense of translating our anger into action.

This office will provide critically needed services at a moment of crises. We are here as the NAACP because Baltimore is our home, and we will stand with it and up for it.
This tragedy is one in a series of tragedies. The anger that we feel in Sandtown and in Baltimore is very much related to the anger that has been felt in Ferguson, the anger that has been felt in Staten Island, the anger that has been felt in Cleveland and the anger that has been felt across the length and breadth of this country. But we have to go beyond anger to action.

From Gerald Stansbury, Maryland NAACP State Conference President:

Freddie Gray was a son, a brother, and a friend. He was a 25 year old vibrant and energetic man with his whole life – dreams, hopes, and aspirations – ahead of him only to be cut short.  The NAACP will use every tool in its advocacy arsenal to bring about justice in cases where unarmed individuals are killed by police and implore that the Justice Department conduct thorough investigations in cases involving the killing of unarmed individuals by police officers.  And the opening of this satellite center is a step towards bringing those who violate their oath to protect those they swore to serve and protect to justice.  The future of Baltimore will be forged by citizens who care deeply about their communities as well as police officers who strive to be seen as both protectors and community partners.

The Maryland State Conference is launching an aggressive advocacy campaign that demands comprehensive criminal justice reform.  We have called upon Gov. Larry Hogan to call the Legislature into special session to take up Police Accountability Legislation including legislation on body cameras. The State Conference has also asked the Governor Hogan to direct cabinet level resources to the Satellite Office to assist with case management and community development.

From Tessa Hill-Aston, Baltimore Branch NAACP President:

We at the Baltimore City Branch are focused on solutions. Our central office is located on 8 W. 26th Street in Charles Village, but we decided create an office closer to the Sandtown community. We look forward to working with local community activists to provide assistance with voter registration, homelessness, criminal justice complaints and expungements. We will also be working the Baltimore City Department of Social Services, civic organizations, sororities, fraternities and the presidents of the surrounding neighborhood associations to ensure that the residents of Sandtown receive the support and the resources that they deserve.

Paul T. Graziano Housing Commissioner, Housing Authority of Baltimore City:

I want to thank the NAACP at the local, state and national level for their commitment to this cause. We are happy to be able to help in a small way in terms of accommodating with space here and service. We will continue to work with the NAACP throughout this entire process. My department operates all of the housing programs in the city. Gilmor homes is just a few blocks from here. We are here to ensure that the right thing is done and that we supply whatever support we can.