CNN removes description of Freddie Gray’s mother as ‘illiterate heroin addict’

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Following protests online, CNN removed a description of Baltimore’s Freddie Gray as “the son of an illiterate heroin addict” in a story posted about the first police officer about to go on trial for Gray’s death last spring while in police custody.

Several tweets suggested that the reference amounted to victim blaming. Gray, who is black, died after being driven around in a police van in a case that drew wide attention to the issue of police treatment of minorities.

The print story, originally posted Monday, was changed that evening to remove the description of Gray’s mother. In an editor’s note, CNN said the reference was deleted “because it appeared out of context.”

CNN had no comment on Tuesday about the change. Gray is described in both versions of the story as a symbol of the black community’s distrust of police.