Frustration and anger over a Baltimore man's death in police custody sparked looting, arson and several nights of unrest in that Maryland city last week. A curfew and National Guard troops helped restore order. Tensions eased when six police officers were arrested Friday on criminal charges in the April 19 death of Freddie Gray, 25, whose spinal cord was injured after he was arrested for having a knife.

A daytime rally Saturday in downtown Baltimore drew thousands of peaceful participants. The city's 10 p.m. curfew was lifted Sunday, five days after being imposed. Marches in other cities also showed concern about the latest U.S. case of a black suspect’s death in a police encounter. "We all feel threatened,” the Rev. Jesse Jackson said at Gray’s funeral last week. "All of our sons are at risk." In a New York Times column Sunday, Nicholas Kristoff writes: "The eruptions in Baltimore have been tied, in complex ways, to frustrations at American inequality.”

Charges against the half-dozen officers transporting Gray in a van April 12 were filed by city prosecutor Marilyn Mosby (video below), who’s black and was elected last November. “I work to deliver justice on behalf of this young man," says Mosby, whose grandfather and parents were police officers. "Let's ensure that we have peaceful and productive rallies that will develop structural and systemic changes for generations to come." The local police union's president calls her action "an apparent rush to judgment," and the union's attorney comments: "No officer injured Mr. Gray, caused harm to Mr. Gray, and they are truly saddened by his death."

Mayor says: "There will be justice for Mr. Gray, there will be justice for his family and there will be justice for the city of Baltimore." -- Stephanie Rawlings-Blake

Victim's family lawyer says: "If Freddie Gray is not to die in vain we must seize this opportunity to reform police departments throughout this country." – William Murphy

Police union says: "At all times, each of the officers diligently balanced their obligations to protect Mr. Gray and discharge their duties to protect the public." -- Gene Ryan, president of Baltimore City Fraternal Order of Police