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In Photos: Hundreds of New Yorkers Take to the Streets as Freddie Gray Protests Spread Across US

Protests against the death of Freddie Gray in police custody in Baltimore took place in other US cities on Wednesday night —VICE News was in New York City, where more than 60 people were arrested.
Photo by Jenna Pope

Hundreds of people marched in Manhattan, New York City on Wednesday night as protests against the death of Freddie Gray in police custody in Baltimore spread across the United States.

Chanting slogans such as "Hands Up, Don't Shoot" and "Baltimore is Everywhere," demonstrators denounced excessive force used by US police officers, and alleged racism.

More than 60 people were arrested, and some injuries were reported in New York. A rally was also held in Washington, DC.

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Related: A Tale of Two Cities: How Baltimore Reached Its Boiling Point. Read more here.

Gray, a 25-year-old black man, died after suffering a severe spinal cord injury while in police custody for carrying a switchblade last month. "Are you proud of your job?" yelled one woman at a police officer in downtown Manhattan.

"Freddie Gray, Michael Brown. Shut it down, shut it down," chanted some protesters, referencing the fatal police shooting of 18-year-old black man Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri last year, which also sparked major protests.

It is not yet publicly known how Gray sustained his injuries. Police are conducting an internal investigation, and the US Ministry of Justice has launched an inquiry.

Related: State of Emergency - Baltimore, Maryland (Dispatch 1)

Protesters rallied in downtown Manhattan before breaking up into smaller groups to march through different neighborhoods. Photo by Jenna Pope

Protests were mostly peaceful, but some scuffles did break out. Photo by Jenna Pope

Riots have taken place in Baltimore since 26-year-old Freddie Gray died on April 19. Photo by Jenna Pope

Police were seen throwing some of the protesters to the ground before detaining them. Photo by Jenna Pope

More than 60 people were arrested. Photo by Jenna Pope

People of all ages took part in the demonstration, which started as a rally in Union Square. Photo by Jenna Pope

The "hands up" gesture references the August 2014 death of 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. Photo by Jenna Pope

Protesters say there is institutionalized racism within NYC police. Photo by Jenna Pope