Baltimore mayor vows city will not be "destroyed by thugs" - FOX 29

April 28, 2015 01:47 GMT

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Baltimore's mayor says, "Too many people have spent generations building up this city for it to be destroyed by thugs."

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake is a lifelong resident of the city. As rioters hurled bricks at police, set cars on fire and looted stores, she imposed a weeklong curfew calling the violence and destruction "senseless" and saying it would have a negative impact on the community for years.

The rioting and looting came hours after the funeral for Freddie Gray, who died from injuries he suffered while in police custody.

Attorney Billy Murphy says the family has been shocked by the violence and was lying low Monday evening. He says they are calling for calm and hope to organize a peace march later in the week.

Gray's fatal encounter with officers came amid a national debate over police use of force, especially when black suspects are involved. Gray was African-American.

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287-a-08-(Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, D-Baltimore, at news conference)-"better for anybody"-Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake says rioters and looters are taking advantage of the peace protests that have taken place. (27 Apr 2015)

<<CUT ..287 (04/27/15)>> 00:08 "better for anybody"

278-c-16-(Skip Foreman, AP correspondent)-"occurred in Baltimore"-AP correspondent Skip Foreman reports Baltimore religious leaders are marching together in an effort to restore calm to the city. ((watch for dating)) (27 Apr 2015)

<<CUT ..278 (04/27/15)>> 00:16 "occurred in Baltimore"

APPHOTO MDPS128: A man walks past a burning police vehicle, Monday, April 27, 2015, during unrest following the funeral of Freddie Gray in Baltimore. Gray died from spinal injuries about a week after he was arrested and transported in a Baltimore Police Department van. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) (27 Apr 2015)

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APPHOTO MDPS130: A man throws a brick at police Monday, April 27, 2015, following the funeral of Freddie Gray in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) (27 Apr 2015)

<<APPHOTO MDPS130 (04/27/15)>>

APPHOTO MDPS133: A boy throws a brick at police, Monday, April 27, 2015, during unrest following the funeral of Freddie Gray in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) (27 Apr 2015)

<<APPHOTO MDPS133 (04/27/15)>>

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