Social media users react to the Justice Department’s Freddie Gray decision

COLLEGE PARK, Maryland — Yesterday, the Department of Justice announced that it won’t bring civil rights charges against the Baltimore police officers connected to the arrest and death of Freddie Gray.  The decision comes after the Baltimore state’s attorney dropped charges for the officers last year.

In April of 2015, Gray was taken into custody by Baltimore police and sustained neck injuries and lost consciousness while being transported in the police van. Gray died a week after his arrest.

After 2.5 years, DOJ investigators conclude no charges warranted against Baltimore officers in Freddie Gray case. https://t.co/vi3XFUbSlJ

— The Baltimore Sun (@baltimoresun) September 12, 2017

The Department of Justice decision sparked both criticism and support on social media. Some users openly critiqued the decision on multiple platforms.

#FreddieGray Dept of Justice does not file charges against officers involved in the Freddie Grey death! #NoJustice #ModernLynchings #RESIST pic.twitter.com/eFL572MB5o

— Willow Grove NAACP (@WillowGrovNAACP) September 13, 2017

Imagine leaving your house in the am, and NO ONE is responsible when you don’t make it back. https://t.co/izTR7j5bjh

— Shavonne Nicole (@Shavonne191920) September 12, 2017

This is why @Kaepernick7 kneels. Shameful that his form of protest is more egregious to many than #FreddieGray‘s death is. https://t.co/CKAYLS8R6x

— The King Center (@TheKingCenter) September 12, 2017

#FreddieGray ran from the police, arrested for carrying a switchblade and now he’s dead. It’s just an accident? Nobody is held accountable?

— Billy Miller (@video296) September 13, 2017

No justice 4 #FreddieGray , a citizen murdered by the state. Police & DOJ exist to protect & serve citizens. They have lost their way.

— Jenny (@JennyB_DC) September 13, 2017

I’m sure Freddie Gray broke his own neck while in police custody. https://t.co/QGD7DUztGA

— ??Sidney Ella?? (@sidney_ella) September 13, 2017

Even with the criminal cases closed, the legacy of Gray’s death on April 19, 2015, from spinal injuries sustained while shackled but not restrained by a seat belt continues to haunt Baltimore. None of the officers involved in Freddie Gray’s fatal ride while in police custody will face federal civil rights charges, the Justice Department said. #inspire(d) #inspire_d #ignite #assist #carry #lead #help #leap #PUSH #listen #dream #give #grind #read #Freddiegray #challenge #takerisks #beintentional #BLM #StayWoke #BeGreat

A post shared by ? (@inspire_the_masses) on Sep 12, 2017 at 8:57pm PDT

repost for #freddiegray.

A post shared by carlos rappleye (@c.rappleye) on Sep 12, 2017 at 4:39pm PDT

Outraged. #FreddieGray suffered a brutal death at the hand of racist officers that are still serving the Baltimore police department. Absolutely no justice. Police brutality still extends so much further than just the fatal cases like this one. This photo is over 50 years old, pls start realizing #blacklivesmatter

A post shared by ? (@valerieathens) on Sep 13, 2017 at 5:49am PDT

But some social media users were less critical of the decision.

Pugh on DOJ not bringing charges in Freddie Gray case: “Justice took its course.”

— Ian Duncan (@iduncan) September 13, 2017

Read the full Department of Justice decision here:

Federal Officials Decline Prosecution in the Death of Freddie Gray https://t.co/Ytcw1ZbOVU

— Justice Department (@TheJusticeDept) September 12, 2017