In 2015, unrest erupted in Baltimore following the death of Freddie Gray, a young man who sustained spinal injuries during transport in a police van. The incident sparked widespread protests in the predominantly Black west Baltimore area, where demonstrators set police cars on fire and looted businesses, voicing their anger over longstanding systemic oppression, including discriminatory housing policies, deteriorating schools, limited job prospects, rampant gun violence, and poor living conditions.
Ray Kelly, a community activist from Gray’s neighborhood, had been advocating for police accountability for years. With federal investigators launching an inquiry into the Baltimore Police Department and local prosecutors charging the involved officers, he intensified his efforts to push for reform. A decade later, his work highlights both Baltimore’s progress and ongoing challenges.
Positive developments have emerged since then. Mechanisms to address police misconduct have been strengthened and homicides and shootings have begun to decline. Although west Baltimore continues to face poverty and neglect, local officials have started paying more attention to the community’s needs.
Despite these advances, progress remains slow and insufficient. The Trump administration’s actions threaten civil rights and diversity initiatives, presenting new hurdles for city leaders. For Gray’s family, the past ten years have been a reminder of their personal loss, which played out on a national stage. On the anniversary of his death, Gray’s twin sister, Fredricka, laid a wreath near the site of his arrest, reiterating the call for justice for her brother.
Baltimore has a long history of racial inequality. In 1910, it became the first city in the U.S. to enforce residential segregation by restricting African American homeowners to certain areas. Kelly’s own experiences growing up during the 1980s crack cocaine epidemic and the national war on drugs highlight the systemic challenges faced by Black residents, leading him to become an advocate for public safety and police reform.
The Department of Justice’s investigation into the Baltimore Police uncovered excessive force, unlawful arrests, and discriminatory practices, leading to a 2017 consent decree requiring reforms. Progress has been made, with a federal judge recently terminating two sections of the decree after achieving compliance. Changes include increased foot patrols, reduced low-level arrests, and training for officers on emotional regulation. However, trust between the community and the police remains fragile.
Gray’s arrest occurred in Sandtown-Winchester, a once-thriving neighborhood that has suffered from urban flight and disinvestment. The 2015 protests highlighted deep-seated frustrations, and while political leaders promised investment in the area, many commitments have yet to be fulfilled. The closure of the neighborhood’s recreation center in 2021 left local youth with limited resources, reflecting ongoing challenges.
The Trump administration’s policies are expected to exacerbate issues for communities like Sandtown, with cuts to federal initiatives aimed at advancing racial equity. Local political discourse, however, has seen the emergence of more progressive Black voices advocating for change. Mayor Brandon Scott’s administration is working on long-awaited improvements, including a $15 million plan to renovate Sandtown’s recreation center and upgrades to Gilmor Homes, where Gray was arrested.
Kelly emphasizes the importance of remembering Gray not just for his tragic death, but also by celebrating his life. Rather than marking the anniversary of his passing, he suggests honoring Gray’s birthday on August 16, 1989.