Story highlights
Freddie Gray's family asked that there be no protests; they condemned violence
Community leaders and brave residents got in between rioters and police
Please, not even a demonstration. Freddie Gray’s family had asked for quiet on Baltimore’s streets the day they laid him to rest. And above all, no violence.
Many people turned a deaf ear to that Monday, but a handful of people embraced the family’s message. They tried to stop young people from flinging rocks at police, breaking windows, looting and setting fires.
The peacemakers – clergy, Gray’s family and brave residents – placed themselves in the rioters’ way.
“I want them all to go back home,” said the Rev. Jamal Bryant.
“It’s disrespect to the family. The family was very clear – we’ve been saying it all along – today there was absolutely no protest, no demonstration,” he said.
