Baltimore Protesters Demand Joseph Kent be Freed From Police Custody

Residents in Baltimore, Maryland are reportedly demanding that a young protester be freed after he was arrested on live television this week.

21-year-old Joseph Kent was arrested on live television on Tuesday night while protesting in the streets of Baltimore against the death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray, who recently died from a spinal injury while in police custody.

Kent has become a prominent protester in both the protests regarding Gray's death, and the protests regarding the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. Media reports note that Kent has become an unofficial leader of the protests because he encourages protesters to act peacefully.

Live coverage by CNN on Tuesday shows Kent being arrested by members of the National Guard. Attorney Steve Beatty, who claims to be representing Kent, took to Twitter shortly after the young man's arrest to provide updates.

"#JosephKent Mr. Kent has retained me as his attorney.I spoke with him for 20 minutes eye to eye.He is healthy and positive.More to come," Beatty tweeted.

"Waiting in lobby now at CBIF to be allowed upstairs to see Mr. Kent. Will advise," Beatty added.

The hashtag "JosephKent" soon went trending on Twitter, with many demanding that local law officials be more transparent regarding Kent's current whereabouts and his legal situation.

CNN anchor Chris Cuomo referenced the arrest shortly after it happened during CNN's live coverage of the protests, saying that police "drove the vehicle up and when it got close enough to create a wedge they ran out an grabbed him, pinned him against that and arrested him."