Baltimore Curfew Lifted Six Days After Riots

Baltimore's mayor has lifted a citywide curfew six days after riots erupted across the city in the wake of Freddie Gray's death.

The order for residents to stay off the streets between 10pm and 5am had been in place since Tuesday, a day after unrest spiralled into violence.

Announcing her decision, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said her goal was not to maintain the curfew any longer than was necessary.

"I believe we have reached that point today," she tweeted.

"My number one priority in instituting a curfew was to ensure the public peace, safety, health and welfare of Baltimore citizens," she said in a separate statement.

"It was not an easy decision, but one I felt was necessary to help our city restore calm."

Thousands of National Guard troops, who were deployed after the riots, have also been ordered to withdraw, according to Maryland governor Larry Hogan.

The move followed an apparent ease in tensions after the announcement of charges against six officers involved in Mr Gray's arrest .

Protests held in the wake of the charges have remained largely peaceful. A rally held on Saturday was almost celebratory as demonstrators praised State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby's decision to file criminal charges in the case.

Mr Gray, 25, died on 19 April from a spinal cord injury apparently suffered while in police custody.

His death set off a string of mostly peaceful protests, but the unrest turned to violence within hours of Mr Gray's funeral on Monday.

More than 230 people were arrested as rioters looted stores, burned buildings and vehicles and hurled stones and bricks at police.

Governor Hogan declared a state of emergency as the National Guard troops descended on the city to help restore calm.

In announcing the charges on Friday, Ms Mosby said Mr Gray was unlawfully arrested and the officers repeatedly ignored his pleas for medical help while he was handcuffed, shackled and lying face down in the back of a police van.

She announced a charge of second-degree "depraved heart" murder against the driver of the police van, Officer Caesar Goodson.

He also faces charges of involuntary manslaughter, second degree negligent assault, misconduct in office and failure to render aid.

The other officers - William Porter, Edward Nero and Garrett Miller - and Sergeant Alicia White and Lieutenant Brian Rice face charges of involuntary manslaughter, assault, misconduct in office and false imprisonment.

Mr Gray's death fuelled the growing national debate on the use of police tactics, particularly in regard to the treatment of young black men.

Similar incidents resulting in the deaths of black men in Ferguson, Missouri, New York City, Cleveland and South Carolina have led to calls for changes in policing.