Jubilant protesters take to the streets of Baltimore after Freddie Gray cops are charged - alongside May Day demonstrations across the country

Protesters have taken to the streets of Baltimore to march just hours after six officers were charged with 'illegally' detaining Freddie Gray. 

State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby declared on Friday that Gray's death was a homicide and issued arrest warrants for the group - three white officers and three African-Americans - sparking a celebration among demonstrators.

It is a stark contrast to the scenes witnessed on Monday night when violence and riots engulfed the Maryland city. 

Around 1,000 people wound through the neighborhood where Gray was arrested and made its way to western district police headquarters, seeking amnesty for the 100 people who have been arrested in the last five days.

Across the country thousands gathered to mark May Day, with many standing up against police brutality.

In downtown New York, huge crowds marched as part of a 'Disarm the NYPD rally', while others raised banners demanding better workers' rights and fairer pay. 

Joy: Lorning Cornish celebrates at the corner of West North Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue after Baltimore authorities released a report on the death of Freddie Gray and charged the six officers involved in his arrest 

Detained: A demonstrator is arrested as he takes part in a march for Freddie Gray at Union Square in New York

Gesture: Pastor Jamal Bryant and others raise their fists during a protest march around the Baltimore Central Booking and Intake Center

Response: The crowd gathered outside the Bookings and Intake Center reacting to the news the six police officers had been charged 

Confrontation: Karon Carroll (right) of Baltimore, tells a policeman standing guard to go home after the surprise announcement 

Reaching out: A man shakes hands with a National Guard soldier outside City Hall 

In unison: Protesters march by the Baltimore City Detention Center holding a variety of placards 

 

In Chicago some protesters, who appeared to be anarchists were seen with placards reading: 'More dead cops'. 

Around 500 protesters marched in Oakland, California, against a variety of issues including racism and police brutality. 

Residents shouted with joy, embraced one another and honked car horns to hail the swift action by Baltimore city's chief prosecutor to file charges.

'I am proud for Baltimore,' said Mae McKinney, 48, waving a large American flag. 'I feel so happy, mostly happy that this wasn't swept under the rug and someone did something about it.

A jubilant crowd gathered in West Baltimore, where Gray was arrested on April 12, chanting 'Freddie! Freddie!'

Uniformed police officials mingled in the crowd, while others in riot gear and National Guard troops stood to the side. Officers on horseback also were on hand.

Although largely peaceful protests followed Gray's death, rioting broke out on Monday after his funeral. Dozens of buildings and vehicles were burned, 20 police officers were injured and more than 200 people were arrested.

'We got what we wanted,' said Tia Tull, 25, one of thousands of marchers celebrating in West Baltimore. 'If the kids didn't do that on Monday, it wouldn't have happened.'

Rev. Osagyefo Sekou, a civil rights activist, said he agreed.

'It was the people out in the streets that made this happen,' Sekou said. 'It is up to us to stay out here, to keep up the pressure.'

Prosecutor Marilyn Mosby's decision stood in sharp contrast to cases last year in Ferguson, Missouri, and New York City where prosecutors found officers had not broken the law in the deaths of unarmed black men and grand juries declined to indict them. Those cases set off weeks of sometimes violent protests.

Despite the relief that swept through Baltimore, some residents noted it was a single step in an ongoing struggle to improve relations between police and poor minority communities, particularly young black men.

'Justice still hasn't prevailed yet,' said college student Earl Tillman, 46. 'This is a much bigger issue than Baltimore.'

Tillman said he would have liked to see more serious charges filed against more of the officers and cautioned that the officers could escape conviction at trial.

Mosby said the Maryland medical examiner had ruled Gray's death a homicide. Gray, 25, succumbed to his injuries in a hospital on April 19. One officer was charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter and two others with manslaughter.

'I have heard your calls for 'no justice, no peace,' however, your peace is sincerely needed as I work to deliver justice on behalf of Freddie Gray,' Mosby said at a news conference.'