Baltimore Public Defender's Facebook Post About Jail Conditions Goes Viral
•
An attorney in the Baltimore Office of the Public Defender has become a Facebook and media sensation after her post describing conditions in a holding cell earlier this week following the arrests of more than 200 people who were protesting the police-custody death of Freddie Gray.
The 1,242-word post by Marci Tarrant Johnson had been shared over 28,000 times as of Friday morning.
Johnson said, "I really felt that this was exceptional and people should know what was going on."
Johnson described one holding cell where women were told not to drink the water because it was "bad." There were 15 women crowded into the cell with no room for them to lie down.
Johnson also said some of the women in the cell weren't sure they had even broken the law, but instead were caught up in a police sweep that landed them in jail.
On Thursday, authorities released 101 people from jail without charges being filed.
Baltimore residents celebrate at the corner of West North Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue after Baltimore authorities released a report on the death of Freddie Gray while police in riot gear stand guard on May 1, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Getty Images
A protester holds a sign reading "Thank you Mosby" during a march May 1, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Getty Images
Activists protest in front of City Hall after marching from the Sandtown neighborhood to demand better police accountability and racial equality following the death of Freddie Gray on April 30, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Getty Images
Baltimore residents celebrate at the corner of West North Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue after Baltimore authorities released a report on the death of Freddie Gray while police in riot gear stand guard on May 1, 2015.
Getty Images
Protesters march through the streets demanding better racial equality May 1, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Getty Images
Baltimore residents celebrate at the corner of West North Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue after Baltimore authorities released a report on the death of Freddie Gray while police in riot gear stand guard on May 1, 2015.
Getty Images
Protesters march through the streets demanding better racial equality May 1, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Getty Images
Riot police monitor protesters during a march May 1, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. Maryland state attorney Marilyn J. Mosby announced that charges would be filed against Baltimore police officers in the death of Freddie Gray.
Getty Images
Students from Baltimore colleges and high schools march in a protest, chanting "Justice for Freddie Gray" on their way to City Hall April 29, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. Baltimore remains on edge in the wake of the death of Freddie Gray, though the city has been largely peaceful following a day of rioting this past Monday. Gray, 25, was arrested for possessing a switch blade knife April 12 outside the Gilmor Houses housing project on Baltimore's west side.
Getty Images
Protesters fill Union Square during a Solidarity With City of Baltimore rally on April 29, 2015 in New York City. Baltimore, Maryland remains on edge in the wake of the death of Freddie Gray, though the city has been largely peaceful following a day of rioting this past Monday.
Getty Images
A man takes part in a Solidarity With City of Baltimore rally at Union Square on April 29, 2015 in New York City. Baltimore, Maryland remains on edge in the wake of the death of Freddie Gray, though the city has been largely peaceful following a day of rioting this past Monday.
Getty Images
People wait for the bus at the Mondawmin Station while police secure Mondawmin Mall on April 29, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. Mondawmin Mall was looted by people Monday afternoon, the same day as the funeral for Freddie Gray.
Getty Images
Daquan Green, age 17, sits on the curb while riot police stand guard near the CVS pharmacy that was set on fire yesterday during rioting after the funeral of Freddie Gray, on April 28, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Getty Images
People protest near the CVS pharmacy that was set on fire Monday during rioting after the funeral of Freddie Gray, on April 28, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Getty Images
Protesters walk forward with their hands up as an armored police vehicle reverses down the street near the CVS pharmacy that was set on fire Monday during rioting after the funeral of Freddie Gray, on April 28, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Getty Images
Baltimore Police officers use tear gas to disperse protesters outside the Mondawmin Mall following the funeral of Freddie Gray April 27, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland.
AP
A police vehicle burns, Monday, April 27, 2015, during unrest following the funeral of Freddie Gray in Baltimore. Gray died from spinal injuries about a week after he was arrested and transported in a Baltimore Police Department van.
AP
A brick sits on a street as police standby, Monday, April 27, 2015, during a skirmish with demonstrators after the funeral of Freddie Gray in Baltimore. Gray died from spinal injuries about a week after he was arrested and transported in a Baltimore Police Department van.
Getty Images
A Baltimore Police officer checks on a man who was injured along Reisterstown Road near Mondawmin Mall during a protest April 27, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. A group of young protestors clashed with police in the streets near Mondawmin Mall in the afternoon following Freddie Gray's funeral.
AP
A boy throws a brick at a police van, Monday, April 27, 2015, during a skirmish between demonstrators and police after the funeral of Freddie Gray in Baltimore. Gray died from spinal injuries about a week after he was arrested and transported in a Baltimore Police Department van.
A CVS store is set on fire during a riot following the funeral for Freddie Gray in Baltimore, Maryland, on April 27, 2015.
Getty Images
Police take security measures during a riot following the funeral for Freddie Gray in Baltimore, Maryland, on April 27, 2015.
Getty Images
Baltimore Police officers in riot gear stand in formation near protestors along Reisterstown Road near Mondawmin Mall, April 27, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. A group of young protestors clashed with police in the streets near Mondawmin Mall in the afternoon following Freddie Gray's funeral.
Getty Images
Police interfere to the protesters during a riot following the funeral for Freddie Gray in Baltimore, Maryland, on April 27, 2015.
AP
Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake speaks in front of faith and community leaders at a news conference calling for peace in response to a Freddie Gray protest that turned violent, Sunday, April 26, 2015, at the Bethel AME Church in Baltimore. Gray died from spinal injuries about a week after he was arrested and transported in a police van.
AP
Demonstrators throw rocks at the police after the funeral of Freddie Gray on Monday, April 27, 2015, at New Shiloh Baptist Church in Baltimore. Gray died from spinal injuries about a week after he was arrested and transported in a Baltimore Police Department van.
AP
A mourner kisses Freddie Gray's casket before placing a rose on it at Gray's burial, Monday, April 27, 2015, at Woodlawn Cemetery in Baltimore. Gray died from spinal injuries about a week after he was arrested and transported in a Baltimore Police Department van.
Getty Images
Baltimore Police officers confront protestors on Reisterstown Road near Mowdamin Mall, April 27, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. The funeral service for Freddie Gray, who died last week while in Baltimore Police custody, was held on Monday morning.
Getty Images
A Baltimore Police officers in riot gear push protestors back along Reisterstown Road near Mondawmin Mall, April 27, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. A group of young protestors clashed with police in the streets near Mondawmin Mall in the afternoon following Freddie Gray's funeral.
Getty Images
Baltimore Police Department officers stand behind a barrier while protestors gather near the Baltimore Police Department's Western District police station during a march and vigil over the death of Freddie Gray, April 21, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. Gray, 25, died from spinal injuries on April 19, one week after being taken into police custody.
Getty Images
Baltimore resident Caira Byrd encourages passing cars to honk while she protests in the middle of York Road near Vaughn Greene Funeral Services during the wake of Freddie Gray, April 26, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. Funeral services for Gray, who died last April 16, while in police custody, will be held the morning of April 27, at New Shiloh Baptist Church.
A Baltimore police car was vandalized as protests turned violent on Monday, April 27 in Baltimore.
A car burns on the street and a CVS was looted in Baltimore on Monday, April 27, 2015.
