Maryland's governor is urging participants in Saturday's protests in Baltimore to keep demonstrations peaceful and nonviolent.
The city has been shaken by protests — including some that turned violent — since the death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray last month. Gray died after being injured while in police custody.
Gov. Larry Hogan says he hopes to see the continuation of the four days of calm in the city that followed Monday's violence.
Hogan said in a statement that the "right to demonstrate is a fundamental part of our society, but damaging property or putting innocent bystanders in danger will not be tolerated."
Hogan thanked the Maryland National Guard, the Maryland State Police and local police from outside Baltimore for helping to keep the peace.
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1 p.m.
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Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
The six Baltimore police officers charged in Freddie Gray's death are scheduled to appear in court at the end of the month.
Lt. Brian Rice, Sgt. Alicia White, and officers Caesar Goodson, Garrett Miller, Edward Nero and William Porter have a preliminary hearing together on May 27 in Baltimore District Court, according to online court records.
If the judge finds there is probable cause to support the charges, the case will move to circuit court to begin preparations for trial.
Defendants can, and often do, waive preliminary hearings and the case is transferred to circuit court. Also, a prosecutor can seek an indictment from a grand jury, which would make a preliminary hearing unnecessary.
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12:30 p.m.
Demonstrators hold a moment of silence at the intersection of Pennsylvania and North avenues in Baltimore for Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old black man who died after being seriously injured while in police custody last month.
The moment of silence comes as Baltimore braces for a mass demonstration and rally in memory of Gray.
Six police officers were charged Friday with felonies ranging from assault to murder in Gray's death. In announcing the charges, State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby said police had no reason to stop or chase Gray in the first place when they confronted him on April 12. He died of injuries on April 19.
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11:45 a.m.
Heavily armed police and National Guard troops are making a show of force at key intersections and government buildings in Baltimore in preparation for Saturday's mass protest marches.
Barricades have been erected to block vehicle traffic from the blocks around City Hall, the destination of the largest planned march. Armored military vehicles were parked at the checkpoints, and there were large numbers of police and troops donning body armor, many carrying assault rifles.
The marches were called earlier this week to protest the death of Freddie Gray, a black man injured while in police custody April 12. But after the arrest of six Baltimore police officers in the case on Friday, the mood of Saturday's marches are expected to be more celebratory than tense.
