U.S. Conference of Mayors President Kevin Johnson Responds to Death of Freddie Gray and Situation in Baltimore

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Apr 27, 2015, 10:02 ET

WASHINGTON, April 27, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- U.S. Conference of Mayors President Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson today issued the following statement in response to the death of Freddie Gray and the situation in Baltimore, MD:

"On behalf of the nation's mayors, I want to register our strong support for Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Police Commissioner Anthony Batts, and the people of Baltimore at this difficult time. Despite their pleas, as well as those of the family of Freddie Gray and numerous community leaders, tragically, violence and looting have occurred. We pray for a quick and peaceful resolution to the current situation.

"We send our condolences to the family of Freddie Gray. We also send our hope for a quick recovery to the police officers injured today in their efforts to maintain and restore peace.

"The nation's mayors urge that any further protests be peaceful and non-violent, as is the right of all Americans under the Constitution."

The U.S. Conference of Mayors is the official nonpartisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. There are nearly 1400 such cities in the country today, and each city is represented in the Conference by its chief elected official, the mayor. Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/usmayors, or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/usmayors.

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SOURCE The U.S. Conference of Mayors