A rally outside the Bronx District Attorney's Office Thursday demanded that criminal charges be dropped against an honor student who was jailed at Rikers Island for over a year.
Pedro Hernandez, 17, was behind bars for over a year because his family could not post his $250,000 bail.
He was charged with criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a firearm, assault and reckless endangerment in connection with a shooting outside a Bronx bodega but has maintained his innocence.
A human rights advocacy group that heard of Hernandez's case posted his bail, and he was freed two weeks ago.
Advocates at the rally say Hernandez's case echoes similarities to the case of Kalief Browder.
Browder, a 22-year-old man who committed suicide after being jailed for three years because his family could not post his bail, was accused of stealing a backpack.
Advocates at the rally say Hernandez's case highlights the inequality of the justice system when it comes to families being able to bail out for their accused loved one.
Participants demanded that the district attorney drop the charges against Hernandez.
The district attorney's office had no comment on the case.