Baltimore Faith Leaders Monitor First Freddie Gray Trial

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- As most conversations are focused on the trial of Officer William Porter, others are discussing what can be done to benefit communities affected during April's unrest.

Marcus Washington has more on those discussions.

The motive is to keep people talking, but while they are talking, let's discuss things that will build the community and less on what was part of its destruction.

They are images that many people will never forget leading to the first trial against six Baltimore police officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray and a conversation of how to prevent a repeat.

"We're having a very real and honest conversation," said Otis Cutler II, Rebirth Ministries.

"If we're going to help people who are hopeless, that are broken, that are hurting, that requires somebody to get in the pothole---in the pithole---and love the people unconditionally," said one.

Faith leaders and members of the banking community came together in west Baltimore on the day of the first trial in the Freddie Gray case. They're reflecting on revitalization and not devastation.

"Just changing that conversation and revitalization---it has to come with resources so it has to come with the banking institutions partnering with communities at large," Cutler said.

"Everybody has a stake in this and I think our prayers should go out to all," said Archbishop William Lori.

The archbishop was also in west Baltimore. His mission was to hand out hundreds of coats to children who live in the very communities affected by April's unrest and all that came before and has followed.

"A lot of people turn to prayer in trying times. This could be a trying time for the family of Freddie Gray; this could be a trying time for the city," he said. "I would suggest, in fact, that we pray for the city, that we would address the deep systemic problems that have led to Freddie Gray, the death of Freddie Gray."

These trials starting with Officer William Porter are symbolic of many things to many people. It's also a time many say we should reflect on how we end here.

"It's a difficult situation for everybody and certainly we need to pray that justice be done. We also need to pray that there will be peace in our city and we will find a good way forward," he said.

In the spring, the faith leaders will meet again with the bankers to discuss what can be done for the community.