Posted on 04/28/2015 2:25:10 PM PDT by Iron Munro
WASHINGTON — After Baltimore’s first round of rowdy protests on Saturday, Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake came under fire for saying that the city gave people “who wished to destroy” space to do so.
“I worked with the police and instructed them to do everything that they could to make sure that the protesters were able to exercise their right to free speech,” Rawlings-Blake said to the media Saturday evening.
“It’s a very delicate balancing act because while we tried to make sure that they were protected from the cars and the other things that were going on, we also gave those who wished to destroy space to do that as well.”
On Monday, at another news conference on the riots that broke out in the streets following Freddie Gray’s funeral, Rawlings-Blake said she was misunderstood.
“I’m going to protect people’s right to protest,” she said. “The fact that people exploited that does not mean that I do not have an obligation to protect people’s right to protest. I never said, nor would I ever say, that we are giving people space to destroy our city. So my words should not be twisted.”
Gray, who was 25, died on April 19 — one week after suffering a severe spinal cord injury while in police custody.
Demonstrations have been nearly constant in the city ever since, and destructive riots broke out after his funeral on Monday. At least 15 officers were hurt Monday, including six who remained hospitalized late in the day, and two dozen people were arrested. Several buildings were burned, as well.
Why don’t you explain to us what she was trying to say - in a graceful and articulate way?
If you didn't give it to them, how did they get it? They had it and I didn't see anybody fighting them for it.
Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake shows she is unfit for office. She made the first mistake for making the statement in the first place. She added to that mistake by not saying it was a mistake to say it. The worse part of this is to lie about making the comment, because it is on video for all to see. That kind of ethical deficit makes me suspect she is doing other unethical things.
Roll tape please?
You going to believe what I said or what I tell you I said?
She said exactly what she wanted to say.
Well, actions are louder than words. It seems the police acted on her words: “we also gave those who wished to destroy space to do that as well.” I did not see any police try to stop the looting, stop destroying cars and stop burning businesses. So the police did everything she wanted them to do, by giving the thugs that wanted to destroy things, plenty of space.
Is it not possible she was implying that the destruction was a regrettable unintended consequence of allowing others to protest peacefully?
As I said, clumsy and inarticulate.
Keep diggin’.
I guess folks will believe what they want.
Uh, contradict yourself much your mayoretteship?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=si4fyB3YbDo
I can see where that’s what she meant. Should’ve added the word “unfortunately” after the last comma.
I also believe she ordered the cops to stand down and deserves every iota of criticism for mishandling the situation.
Well, as someone who tries to speak English in a sensible way, no, I do not believe it’s possible she was implying that destruction was regrettable. She was saying: stand down, pigs. You do know she refused to speak at the second press conference, don’t you? And the head of the police - who led the claque of Baltimore cheerleaders today - is a moron as well.
The legal settlements after all of this will be hundreds of millions. Her comment of permitting destruction, however she meant to say it, was chum in the water for every attorney east of the Mississippi.
If the city did not have financial concerns before, they do now.
As they say - it isn't the screw-up that destroys politicians - it's the cover-up.
All she had to say is:
"I said it but the words came out wrong. I didn't mean to say it that way and I apologize."
And that would be the end of it.
You know darn well the media would pretend to believe her and cover for her.
But her denial that she said what is clearly recorded forever on video explodes the incident into a major issue.
She is going down and hopefully she will drag some of her racist mafia and some race pimps down with her.
She said exactly what she said. It was not clumsy. It was POLICY.
I watched Fox News last night and it was clear that the police were giving those who wished to destroy the city plenty of space to do it. The police line was set up 150 yards from where a bunch of thugs were looting liquor stores, burning trash and cars, and finally setting fire to the stores. The police (hundreds of them) just stood there like statues.
This is not how they were trained to respond to a riot. This is how they were TOLD to respond. To give them space.
Don't try to justify what this idiot woman said or try to claim that she didn't say what she said. She said it and it happened.
Your Honor, it seems that more than a few of your constiuents heard it the way we evil conservative crackers did.
Who are you going to believe? The Mayor or your lying ears?
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