New York protestors rally in solidarity with Baltimore

Hundreds of people gathered in Union Square and marched down New York City streets Wednesday evening in support of Baltimore protestors to demand justice for black people across the country.

Protests in Baltimore have continued for days against the overuse of police force surrounding the death of Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old black man, in local police van.

Rally at Union Square started at 6 p.m. local time on the north side of the Square on 17th street as many chanted "No justice, no peace" and "hands up, don't shoot."

The group Millions March NYC, who helped organize the protest, said this shows the people of Baltimore that they stand in solidarity with them and with their resistance because their resistance is for justice.

The group said in its Facebook page that people of Baltimore have taken to the streets day after day for justice for Freddie Gray and for Black lives across the country but now that the National Guard has been called in and a curfew set.

"We must stand in solidarity with the people of Baltimore," it said.

The media will continue to paint the people of Baltimore as rioters and looters but people forget that the City and Police of Baltimore loot and destroy Black and Brown communities of Baltimore every day of the year, it added.

Prior to the demonstration, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio called for a peaceful protest. Meanwhile, the NYPD was on the scene from the start.

"I'd say if you want to make change, keep things peaceful," the Mayor said. "When anyone gets involved in violent protests, it denigrates their cause." Endi