Prayers for peace in Baltimore

Baltimore Sun: Our hearts go out to the family of Freddie Gray, who not only had to bury a loved one but also to cope with the fact that a small number of the thousands who have marched in the streets of Baltimore since his death while in police custody committed acts of violence and destruction in his name. The tension that erupted Saturday in Baltimore continued in the hours after Gray’s funeral, as police said they had received a “credible threat” that “members of various gangs including the Black Guerilla Family, Bloods, and Crips have entered into a partnership to “take out” law enforcement officers.”

As terrible as the scenes were Saturday, Sunday and Monday, we cannot let them overshadow the legitimate expression of grievances. Looting convenience stores, smashing police car windows and throwing rocks at officers accomplish nothing but to confirm the ugly stereotypes that underlie the very injustices the demonstrators are trying to protest.

Some suggested after Saturday night that Baltimore had reached a tipping point in its reaction to Freddie Gray’s death. Perhaps it has, but we need to remember that tipping over into chaos and violence is not inevitable. Whoever caused the destruction, whether they were out of towners or natives, we must remember that there are many more of us who are praying for justice through peace.