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Six Baltimore Police Officers Charged in Death of Freddie Gray; Protests against Police Brutality Continue in Baltimore; Demonstrators Speak about Reason for Baltimore Protests; Baltimore Gangs Call Truce; Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Have Second Child. Aired 2-3p ET

Aired May 2, 2015 - 14:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


[14:00:00] FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Rallies are planned all over the country in fact, not just here in Baltimore. But you see the map right here. It's Houston, Texas, Richmond, Virginia, and Boston. We have a team of reporters around this city of Baltimore covering today's demonstrations. Joining me right now live are CNN correspondent Sara Sidner, Nick Valencia, and Ryan Young. Let's go to our Sara Sidner first right here at War Memorial Plaza outside of city hall. Sara?

SARA SIDNER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Look, you know, it started out here really kind of like a block party where everybody was getting together. They were dancing. But not far from their mind was, of course, the situation with the police here and Freddie Gray.

What I can tell you now is that we're hearing from a lot of different speakers. I want to give you an idea of who's in this crowd. You've got people from all over the country that are here as well. It's not that people are protesting in other cities, but a lot of people have converged on Baltimore. We know there are folks from Ferguson, Missouri, where really this was the birth place of this modern civil rights movement.

And there are a lot of people here from all over, including California. We heard from Oscar Grant's uncle, who came all the way from Oakland, California. If you'll remember that story, Oscar Grant killed by a bay area rapid transit police officer back in 2009 in Oakland. He was actually charged and convicted of manslaughter. And the uncle got up and said we need to do the same thing here in Baltimore.

Of course, the wheels of justice have to turn. Justice has to be looked at. This has to be looked at of course by a jury to decide whether what the justice actually should be. But certainly there are hundreds of people that are here. And the folks from the march haven't even gotten here yet, so you're really seeing a large number of folks who are already here converging but there's going to be many, many more hundreds to who show up here, Fred.

WHITFIELD: And then Sara, when they get here, they are going to be met not just with many more people just like them who are here in solidarity for Freddie Gray, but they're also going to be met with a police presence, the National Guard. Have any of the demonstrators said anything to you about their impressions of that throughout the city?

SIDNER: You know what I find really interesting? As opposed to what I would see in Ferguson over the many months that the demonstrations went on a daily basis, there was no interaction between police and protesters other than pretty much negative, where there were words spoken to the officers that were intense and negative and the officers sort of standing very still, not trying to make any kind of conversation with the protesters.

Here I'm seeing people walk by. The National Guard speaking to them, saying hello. The police as well, the state police. But it is a huge presence here. We saw lots of cars from around Baltimore, both the state police, the National Guard, and the Baltimore police. They are here in force. But you're really not feeling that kind of strong tension that we felt in other cities that have dealt with these marches and seen such large demonstrations, Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right, it is different. It does seem very unique. All right, Sara Sidner, thank you so much.

I want to get the perspective of Nick Valencia who is with a very sizeable crowd of people who are walking. Nick, any sense of how many blocks away you are from the city hall location? We saw the first wave of demonstrators arrive minutes ago. About where are you in relation to city hall?

NICK VALENCIA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We're still west of Baltimore, still a few blocks to go to Pennsylvania Avenue. So I would say at least 10 minutes away. We're with one of those demonstrators. Daisy Villalubus came all the way from New York. Why?

DAISY VILLALUBUS, PROTESTOR: I just came to show support and solidarity for other low income and neglected communities that are victims of the state, consistently oppressed and ignored at the hands of the state and those that promise to protect and serve them.

VALENCIA: You also have had your own interaction with police. Take your glasses off. What happened to you?

VILLALUBUS: I can't divulge in details because it's in the process of being worked on, but I was arrested on Wednesday's protests in Union Square and I suffered a number of injuries as a result, and I'm following up with them as we speak with my lawyer.

VALENCIA: But Daisy, as you were talking about earlier to me before this interview started, you were saying this isn't just about black lives. What is it about?

VILLALUBUS: It's about those neglected communities who don't have the resources and don't have the abilities to be self-sufficient and provide their own resources and are completely dependent on states that don't give them the very promises that they said they would, such as health care, access to good food, access to housing, access to daycare for those who need to work. There's not enough resources and accountability in the very legislature, in the same manner that they promised to give us. And these marches are just to ensure that we have that attention, that

we have people's attention. And we're going to move from there however long it takes, that we need to uphold these certain standards. We need to get more people to make sure people are paying attention because this no longer can be swept under the rug. This is affecting all aspects of our lives.

[14:05:11] VALENCIA: Like I said earlier, Fredricka, people from all across the country coming to show their support not just for Freddie Gray but, in Daisy's instance, for her own community as well as communities far and beyond Baltimore. Yes, all eyes are on this city right now.

And what we are seeing in the streets is a crowd I'd say estimated at about 200 people marching in the middle of the streets, peaceful. We have not seen a police presence yet. We've continued to march towards city hall and that's the plan right now. Fredricka?

WHITFIELD: All right, so about 200 people with you, Nick Valencia. And when they get here to city hall they will be met with hundreds more who have the same objective and goals in today's youth rally. With me now, Reverend Alvin Gwynn and Cheryl Dorsey, formerly of the LAPD and HLN legal analyst Joey Jackson, all back with me now. I'm anxious to hear your impressions of what is unfolding here, reverend.

REV. ALVIN GWYNN: We're finally getting the opportunity for people to be heard. Even though this is a great tragedy in the nation, people are actually having an opportunity to describe what is going on in the communities where they're living right now. We're hoping that this opportunity, this moment, as it's been described, is really resonating with everyone around. One of the things that I'm proud to hear that they're taking an opportunity of at this particular juncture is to talk to the people who have not registered to vote, because those are the ones who make up the jury box.

WHITFIELD: They actually created a line and invited people to register to vote during this rally.

REV. ALVIN GWYNN, PASTOR, LEADENHALL BAPTIST CHURCH: Absolutely, because it is our civic duty, it's our responsibility to do it. If you want to be heard, you have to step forward to be heard. I'm just glad they are taking this opportunity right now to address that issue.

WHITFIELD: And how influential, Cheryl, do you believe this rally, this turnout, is to the reforms that we've heard the mayor speak of prior to the charges that were imposed yesterday? She says there will be reforms. That has been her objective, reforms in the police department. How influential is a turnout like this?

CHERYL DORSEY, RETIRED LAPD POLICE SERGEANT: I think that seeing the numbers that we're seeing here today certainly lets the mayor know and others that there's a group that want real change, right? And so we understand that their voices are being heard, their demands will hopefully be met and then going forward, we're going to have some proactive work being done by these people that are here today to try to bring about that change on the department with elected officials and ultimately here in the community.

WHITFIELD: And is a turnout like this influential on the legal road, Joey?

JOEY JACKSON, HLN LEGAL ANALYST: I really think it is, Fredricka. I'm struck by the energy of the crowd, the passion, and the diversity of the crowd. It seems to be a movement that has people's attention in general. When you have a number of people in the community who come forward, it's important politically because legislatures are elected, and that's where laws change, that's where things change. And it starts there. And so I think the energy certainly and the passion could translate into real reform.

And ultimately everybody has to be about the law. No one can be above it, no one should be below it, but everyone should be accountable to follow it. And if that comes out of this movement, I think it will be very important.

WHITFIELD: And sometimes reform takes time. It's not overnight. And we know this legal process will take time. It yet has to lead to a grand jury indictments, there has to be trial, et cetera. But when we hear people out here and beyond say there has to be some change, when you look at the clock, when do people start getting impatient about whether change will come?

GWYNN: Let's face it, we live in a culture right now where things happen in an instant. And so people kind of have that expectation that things will happen instantaneously. But what I do realize here is that once the cameras stop rolling and people begin to disperse and go back to their various areas, we still have to continue to push the area.

If we're going to have real reform in police and real reform in government, how we address people of poverty and people who have to deal with these issues day in and day out, then those of us who are in the faith community, those of us who are part of the electorate here in the city of Baltimore have to continue to push it to make sure that we are addressing these issues that are being raised here today and we are actually seeing some real movement in a good direction.

WHITFIELD: All right, Reverend Alvin Gwynn, thank you so much Cheryl Dorsey and Joey Jackson, appreciate it.

All right, much more from city hall where hundreds have converged, and you see on the right-hand side of your screen if we can pull that back up again, there is city hall. That is War Memorial Plaza. And then I want to show you another live shot right there where hundreds more people are walking through the streets of Baltimore and they will meet up with the many people already here. Our live coverage continues from Baltimore after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:12:58] WHITFIELD: All right, welcome back. Live here in Baltimore, a very sizeable rally under way right now at War Memorial Plaza here outside of city hall. You're hearing the voices at the microphones behind me. You're hearing some clapping. There are a lot of signs. People are holding signs saying "Justice for Freddie Gray. It is right to rebel." They're all here in solidarity for the 25-year- old who died in police custody, Freddie Gray.

This one day after the state's attorney released information supporting her charges against six Baltimore police officers, all of whom surrendered, have been arrested, and all out on bond today.

So meantime today, hundreds here at city hall, hundreds more apparently are walking through the city of Baltimore. You have seen some of the live pictures of the groups who are walking through. We have a family with us right now. I want to talk more about why they have decided to take part here in this March and rally today. They live here in Baltimore. Devan Southerland as well as Joe Savage, and their son, Liam, who is seven-years-old. I know it's very overwhelming for Liam for this big crowd here. But describe for me why it was so important, Devan, to be here as a family on this day. You also marched yesterday. What does this mean to you and your family?

DEVAN SOUTHERLAND, MARCHER AND A BALTIMORE NATIVE: It means everything to me and my family. Like, you know, I'm born and raised here. I care a lot about my city. I love my city, I love where I come from, and I decided to stay here and raise my family here and to have a little boy. It's even more important for me to be here, especially with all of us, you know. A lot of people always say for the most part we recognize all races and all colors. Well, at the end of the day, as you can see, Joe is a different race or ethnicity from me, but at the end of the day we have a black son.

WHITFIELD: And Liam cannot know what that means right now, and I'm sure you're grappling with when you have that conversation. I have a 10-year-old son. My husband and I are grappling with when do we have that conversation with him.

[14:15:07] But in the meantime, as you think about the conversation that you will have with your son, what do you and your husband think you will need to say to him?

SOUTHERLAND: It's uncomfortable, but we have to say you can do whatever you want in this world and nothing can stop you. But we also have to say you can't do everything that you want in this world, because, unfortunately, there are some things that can stop you. But you have to be aware and --

JOE SAVAGE, MARCHER AND TRANSPLANT FROM DETROIT: Just do the best that you can.

SOUTHERLAND: Correct. It's sad that we have to have this conversation, but we're going to have to. We know it.

SAVAGE: It's a sad reality.

WHITFIELD: It is a sad reality. You know you have to have the conversation. You'd be remiss if you never did --

SOUTHERLAND: Correct.

WHITFIELD: -- because you have to be a realist. We all want to be optimists and think that everyone can live in harmony and that is a conversation we'd never have to have.

SAVAGE: Right.

WHITFIELD: But your union is representative of a harmony.

SOUTHERLAND: Yes.

WHITFIELD: You're sending a message to your son. At what point and how will you want to introduce this conversation in a very big way to your son, Joe, and your perspective is unique?

SAVAGE: I would honestly say he'd probably comprehend it best when he's like in his teen years. I mean, as a child, I want him to enjoy his childhood. I don't want him to have to have fear of going outside, have fear of society, have fear of the police, have fear of anyone.

WHITFIELD: Well, what do you think his interpretation is today now that he is out here? Perhaps he may not understand all that's transpiring, but what do you suppose your son's feelings are right now today?

SAVAGE: Right now I would honestly say are he's happy to be with mom and dad. He's happy to be around. He's happy to be in the crowd. He's happy to be a part of everything.

WHITFIELD: All right, Joe, Devan, and Liam, thank you so much. Appreciate it.

SOUTHERLAND: Thanks.

SAVAGE: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: All right, thanks for stopping.

So hundreds of people here at this rally, and we are reaching out to many more people because people of all walks are here representing all ages, all races, all socioeconomic backgrounds, and we want to hear from as many as we can hear as hundreds more in this live shot right here make their way to city hall. Our live coverage continues right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:20:43] WHITFIELD: Welcome back. We continue our live coverage here in Baltimore. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. On the right of your screen you're seeing hundreds of people, believed to be hundreds of people walking through the streets, neighborhoods, business areas of downtown Baltimore. They will eventually make their way here to city hall.

It sounds celebratory because there is a lot of music here. We heard from speakers who said this is a celebration of the life of 25-year- old Freddie Gray who died in the custody of police, sustained a fatal injury in the custody of police. You heard from the state's attorney yesterday who imposed the charges against six Baltimore police officers. They all surrendered without incident. They were arrested and they are all out on bond, their whereabouts today unknown.

In the crowd here where already hundreds of converged, CNN correspondents, including our Ryan Young. Ryan, I know it's going to be tough for you to hear me right now, but set the scene on where you are in the midst of this crowd.

RYAN YOUNG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, you can hear the music playing in the background, very loud, everybody is cheering. It's even hard to hear you. But I want to share an interview with you which is these young men right here helped to sign a truce in this neighborhood. They are gang members who decided to lay down the fight for right now for the community. Tell me why it's important to sign a truce during this time.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What was the question?

YOUNG: Just why did you feel it was important to sign that truce to make sure the community had a little peace while this was going on?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: First I want to say that the truce has been made. It wasn't just because of Freddie Gray that we all came together. This truce has been made. We actually are together to actually represent what we've been supposed to stand for.

YOUNG: But I saw in the crowd gang members removing young people from fighting and throwing things at officers. Tell me about why you guys decided to do that.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: One, we wanted to protect not just the officers. We wanted to protect our community so it won't be anything as far -- so we won't clash and none of our brothers are not going to be locked up.

YOUNG: You thought it was important because there was a rumor before that gang members were threatening officers. You wanted to make sure that was clear that what?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I wanted to clear it up. My program is called Save Our Youth, is the SOY program. One youth at a time, they are the future. You cannot give up on those kids.

The reason why that riot went down, it's been in the making since 2009. I want to set the record straight. It had nothing to do with the Bloods, the Crips, the BGF, or any type of gang member. They never said that they were going to hurt the police officers or nothing of that nature. It was important that they needed to know. They had to find some way to get their voice heard. They turned their backs on them.

YOUNG: You think it's important to work with officers at this point? UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's very important. First of all, we was working

with them. We used to have the pal centers, you remember those? The police officers patrolled the pal centers. They worked inside. The kids would come into the community after school for the programs.

YOUNG: Let me stop you real quick. Look, everybody has been talking about pal and they want those back. It's a conversation going on in this crowd. We'll talk about it some more. Fredricka?

WHITFIELD: Yes, those conversations are ongoing at kitchen tables around the country as well. Ryan Young, thank you so much.

You're looking at the right of your screen. You're seeing many more who are on their way to this location right here at city hall. This is a celebration. We've heard it from the speakers, a celebration for the life of 25-year-old Freddie Gray. At the same time, many people have expressed that they are encouraged that the steps toward justice are under way with the charges being imposed on the six Baltimore police officers.

Again, you're looking at the view right there, a number of people holding signs. There are people who are interacting with one another, people who are representing all walks, black, white, Asian, Latinos. You're seeing people who are bringing their children out here just as the family that I just interviewed a moment ago, bringing their seven- year-old. And there are many teenagers here as well.

We're going to have much more of our live coverage as hundreds more make their way through the streets of Baltimore on their way here to city hall. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:28:45] WHITFIELD: All right. Hello and welcome back to Baltimore. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. Again, a big rally taking place here right outside city hall. But I understand there's the mayor right now, Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. Let's listen in.

STEPHANIE RAWLINGS-BLAKE, (D) BALTIMORE MAYOR: If things change, you'll be the first to know.

SIDNER: Mayor, I'm Sara from CNN. How are you?

RAWLINGS-BLAKE: Good.

SIDNER: Can you tell me a little bit about, first of all, what you're doing here today and why you've come out today?

RAWLINGS-BLAKE: We are here, after hearing there was an immediate need in this community for food -- excuse me for a second. Is he getting --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you so much. Right this way.

RAWLINGS-BLAKE: I'LL Handle one question and then I've got to go back to serving because you all are preventing people from getting food. All right, what is your question?

SIDNER: Let me ask you this. Have you had any conversations with the Department of Justice? What are some of the things that are going on between the city and the DOJ?

RAWLINGS-BLAKE: So the issue of police brutality, excessive force, those issues have been front and center for me for years. When I became mayor, I focused on ways that we could engage the community in better ways. And when I was mayor, there was -- under the previous administration there was a violent crime impact group that was responsible for the vast majority of the excessive force and shootings.

[14:30:09] And when I brought the new commissioner on board, we disbanded that group. And have been working ever since to improve the relationships between the community and the police department. We have not only have reforms that we've put that place called "Preventing Harm," that's our reform document, but even after that I asked the Department of Justice to come in through the community policing section to help us in a collaborative afternoon way to reform our police department.

The only other option out there in collaboration -- well, with the DOJ is if they come in with a consent decree. I want to be a full partner in reforming our police department, and that's where we're headed.

SIDNER: Have you talked to them about this particular situation here and Freddie Gray? I mean, how recently have you spoken with the DOJ and had conversations with them about what is going on?

RAWLINGS-BLAKE: I'm in constant contact with the Department of Justice, but I can't speak to the case.

SIDNER: Can I ask you about some of the comments --

RAWLINGS-BLAKE: I said one more question and I'm going back to serving. I'm trying to be nice. I'm here to serve. Thank you.

SIDNER: Let me just ask you about the question --

RAWLINGS-BLAKE: You can see I've been very generous with my time. I'm here to serve. I made myself available.

WHITFIELD: OK, you're listening to Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake who doesn't want to answer any more questions. I actually had a scheduled sit-down interview with her yesterday and she cancelled that after the response -- after the press conference coming from the state's attorney. So now for the first time after the state's attorney announcing the charges against those six police officers we're seeing her in an unscripted kind of natural setting right here at the park outside of city hall.

She did come out and make a formal statement after the state's attorney yesterday, saying that she was sickened by what she heard about the charges against those six police officers. But of course we've all been wanting to hear a little bit more from the mayor, whether she knew that announcement was coming. It was clear, it seemed apparent that she did not know that announcement was coming. But her statement following the state's attorney's announcement was very curt, very short.

But now we are seeing that she is here among the crowd as well here at city hall. This big rally converging right here outside of her office and she, as you just saw, is serving food and said she is here to serve the city.

All right, there are hundreds more who are on their way to this park just outside of city hall, and that's where we find our Nick Valencia. So Nick, how close or how far away are you now?

VALENCIA: Well, we're about four miles away, Fredricka from city hall. I've been joined now here by one of the demonstrators, Bree Newsome. Bree, we've seen so many people from all across the country, all different walks of life. What do you think it is that's united everybody?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: For one this is an issue that's going on in every city pretty much in America, especially any city with a significant black population. I came up from Charlotte. We have a case going on right now with Jonathan Ferrell who was killed by a cop. The officer involved in that case is on trial right now.

VALENCIA: What do you think is going to take to make that change, that systemic change people are talking about?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's got to be accountability. People talk about, how do we improve relations between the community and the police? But there can be no improvement until we know cops will be held under the same standard and we all have equal protection under the law, period.

VALENCIA: We have seen the police officers for the first time since this march started just a short time ago. We saw the presence of state troopers that were blocking off the street. But then they allowed you guys to go through. What do you make of that?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think that's the smart thing to do. You know what I mean? Like, why agitate? Why increase the tension, you know what I mean? Allow people to demonstrate. Allow people to say what they need to say. We don't need unnecessary interaction with the police. That's what people are asking for right now, they want a reduction in the policing. It's too much policing.

WHITFIELD: Bree, thank you so much for taking the time with CNN. We'll let you continue on with the march.

Fredricka, we're continuing to march in the middle of the street. So far traffic has been shut down in some spots, some places, but these demonstrators continue to be peaceful, showing their support for each other, not wanting Monday night to represent the narrative, but wanting this to be the image that the world sees, that Baltimore is united, that people across the United States are united, and they are continuing to seek justice not just for Freddie Gray but for others as well. Fredricka?

WHITFIELD: All right, Nick Valencia, thank you so much, as you all make your way to this final destination here at city hall.

I want to bring in Sara Sidner because those of you who are just joining us, perhaps you heard the words of Mayor Stephanie Rawlings- Blake. She is actually here at this location. She came out where there are hundreds of people that have converged. She's handing out food. She says she is here to serve the people.

[14:35:10] But Sara, it did not sound as like and her demeanor didn't exhibit that she wanted to talk any further about the case, her reaction to the charges, more than what she stated in her press conference yesterday.

SIDNER: Yes. I mean, look, she said one question. So she -- we talked to her a little bit. But of course there's a lot of questions that people have.

I want to give you a little walk here. What's happening here, and this is significant. People are getting food here because this neighborhood was so hard hit. There's not a lot of places to shop because of what happened on Monday with the burning and the looting. But you can see the mayor there. She's giving out food. She says she's here to serve. Today is her day to serve, and not so much talk with the media. She is working hard here along with the other volunteers at the Macedonia Baptist Church.

But let me show you where we are. One of the places that we found out where the police stopped that we did not know about until recently was right here at this store. And they stopped here, and Freddie Gray was in the back of the wagon. And we all found out about that. And there is certainly a lot of sort of conspiracy theories as to why that happened and a lot of concern as to why we are just now finding out about this next stop.

And so this is happening right here in this neighborhood. A lot of folks around here concerned about what is going to happen when these charges go forward, what happens when the justice system. Everyone has really got their eyes focused on that.

Bur right now lots of folks out here picking up food. This is a neighborhood that is certainly blighted. When you drive around, this does look in many, many ways like almost a third world country. And I hate to use those words, but there are lots of boarded-up places, lots of boarded-up homes that have been abandoned, not very many places for you to go shopping for food, not very many places for you to go shopping, period. And so this is a way for people to go ahead and get the things that they need. And you're seeing the mayor take part in that right now.

WHITFIELD: OK. So Sara Sidner, thanks so much. Thank you for that clarity too. So the mayor not here at city hall where hundreds have converged, but instead many blocks away in an area much needed, particularly after so many of the businesses there have been boarded up. And the need is great. She's handing out food there, and again underscoring her message, the mayor saying she's here to serve.

We'll have much more of our live coverage here soon. You're also going to hear from a couple of young gentlemen that I have right here at city hall who will give us their story on why it is important to be part of this moment today. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:42:00] UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In 2009 Kodak announced the discontinuation of a film that they make called Aerochrome. The film itself was invented in World War II in collaboration with the U.S. military designed for camouflaged attack. So they're trying to reveal the enemy hidden in the landscape.

I bought as much as I could. Then I said to myself where will I take it? Where does this need to be taken? In what way can this film tell a story better than any other film? And I discovered that really, you know, there's an ongoing civil war situation in eastern Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, which doesn't really get much press. It's very inaccessible. It takes six days to get in and get out. For me it takes months and months and months of footwork. You have to choreograph this whole thing, and then you have to get the right camera into that situation. Then you have to wait for the right light, and then you have to hope that your subject doesn't disappear back into the jungle.

The work from Congo has been exhibited widely internationally. It represents Ireland, my home country, which is a great honor. And after that the exhibition, "The Enclave," was shown all over the world.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Hello, everybody, and welcome back to Baltimore. We are live here, a rally under way. People of all walks are making their way through downtown Baltimore on their way here to city hall. And among them are Pierce Racanalli (ph) and Will Green (ph), both of them residents of Baltimore, good friends. You felt it was important to be here today, why?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, the first word that comes to mind is "justice," and doing the right thing, making sure the right things happen with this. We're obviously very sad for Freddie Gray and for his family and for the people of Baltimore. It hurts. And it felt very important for me to be here and stand up for what I think is the right thing.

WHITFIELD: You still work at the Seaquarium here, is that correct?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't, actually. I used to.

WHITFIELD: The both of you met there, however.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

WHITFIELD: You both did work there. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

WHITFIELD: And as you go to the inner harbor today or even over the course of the last few days you see the presence of the National Guard and police. What is that image like for you?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: At first, at first when I saw it, it was crazy. But they're doing their job and I get that. And if they feel like they have to keep it safe, then I'm OK with that.

WHITFIELD: There is an interesting message that comes with the police presence, the National Guard presence, this a day after the state's attorney imposes charges against police officers. Does that seem like an odd or mixed message for you, that here it is maintaining the peace in large part, being at the ready just in case, but at the same time the charges serve a big black eye for the police department?

[14:45:11] UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, I mean, I think it's a step in the right direction because, frankly, something needs to be done about this. And, you know, there have been a string of, you know, police crimes essentially against the African-American populous in the last six months especially, but not just. And it needs to stop. And so I think it's a step in the right direction. You never like to say that it's a good thing that police are convicted, but I think that it is -- it's justice, and it needs to be done.

WHITFIELD: OK. I want you to hold that thought. I want to listen in to state Senator Catherine Pugh.

CATHERINE PUGH, BALTIMORE STATE SENATOR: Freddie Gray becomes symbolic of all of the black men in this country who have been treated unfairly by our police. And we know that police reform is on the way. And I have said as a national president of the National Black Caucus of state legislators, this is a moment in which we can begin to elevate the conversation around race around race relations in this country.

All we're talking about to America is about being fair. All of us pay taxes. All of us pay fees. And when this country jumpstarts industries on the backs of all of us, then we ought to be a part of it. And so what we are calling for is public-private partnerships that will put the same kind of investments in uptown that they put in downtown.

We want great downtowns, but we want great neighborhoods as well. So I'm calling on America to understand that you've got to begin to invest in our neighborhoods and in our communities. Our people are not monolithic, we run the gamut. We have folks who are very, very poor, but we've got some folks who are very, very rich who can participate in the process of bringing back our neighborhoods and bringing back our communities.

So let's -- please, let's give a real shout-out to Marilyn Mosby, who showed America how we go about this process.

(APPLAUSE) PUGH: Trust her, trust her, trust her to continue to move the ball of justice forward.

But let me say to you all, registering to vote is the most important thing that each and every one of you all out there who aren't registered to vote, do that.

But more importantly, you all, let's do this in peace and let's continue to push the movement forward. Let's make investments in our neighborhoods and communities a reality. Thank you so much.

(APPLAUSE)

WHITFIELD: All right, a resonating message there from State Senator Catherine Pugh saying the investment needs to be made not just downtown but all of the neighborhoods so that there is that kind of equity and opportunity.

All right, we've got much more of our coverage here from Baltimore and many more, hundreds more make their way to city hall. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. Thanks for being with me this afternoon. Coming up next, Poppy Harlow continuing our live coverage from Baltimore.

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[14:52:06] SUNLEN SERFATY, CNN ANCHOR: And welcome back. You are looking at live now at pictures at a rally in downtown Baltimore. That rally we have been following all afternoon in support of Freddie Gray. But first we have some breaking news out of London. Just a short time ago, Prince William and Duchess Catherine introduced us to their new baby girl who weighed in at eight pounds three ounces. This royal debut came much earlier than expected. It was just a few showers ago that Kate gave birth.

Let's get right to CNN's royal correspondent, Max Foster. Max, will we see some tiny princess any time again soon?

MAX FOSTER, CNN ROYAL CORRESPONDENT: The princess is safely tucked up in Kensington Palace behind me, and I'm told the four of them are spending some bonding time together, so they just want to be together. Prince George is in there meeting his little sister for the first time. He did pop to the hospital earlier, but this was really about the four of them being together there, so no visitors tonight. No announcement on the name tonight.

It was pretty extraordinary. As you say, she went in this morning at 6:00 a.m., had the baby at 8:15, and they came out to that enormous press pack. And they looked absolutely fine. I mean, the duchess very relaxed, smiling, had her hair done, pretty amazing really. And the little princess looked very sweet and very healthy. More than eight pounds, so very smooth delivery and very successful birth.

And this family, this perfect royal family continues and feels more complete now according to a lot of people I have spoken to, a little boy and now a little princess. SERFATY: Max, we still don't know her name yet. There's a huge

betting pool in Las Vegas for what the name will ultimately be. The favorite name was Charlotte. When will we get a formal name for her?

FOSTER: Well, I think probably we'll get it tomorrow because it took a couple of days for Prince George's name to be announced. But I think things are moving much more quickly this time around. So I think probably we'll hear the name tomorrow. Some of the names being bounced around are Victoria, Charlotte, Alexandra, because they're traditional names, they have a regal history. They go with George as well. So we're waiting for that name.

And on Prince George we show you the pictures of him arriving today. That was a bit of a moment for us. He's going to be the king of England that we haven't had, or the king of the U.K. We haven't had much access to him and so we haven't seen him in public for months. So he arrived, and Prince William took him out of the car and walked him along a little bit of the pavement. But George wanted to get into his dad's arms and they walked up the steps and then turned around to the press and gave the press a big wave. So that actually was a historic little moment as well.

But we don't have much access to him. Want to follow how he's developing. We haven't seen him for so long. That was a little moment for the U.K. and everyone went wild when Prince George went in. He's a little star already, and I can guarantee that the outfit he was wearing is sold out already. He's a fashion icon as his sister will be as well.

[14:55:06] SERFATY: And to add to Max's great reporting, we just got a statement in from President Obama and Michelle Obama reading, quote, "Michelle and I are delighted to congratulate the duke and duchess of Cambridge, her majesty, the queen, and the royal family, and all the people of the United Kingdom on the birth of the royal princess. On behalf of the American people, we wish the duke and duchess and their son, George, much joy and happiness on the occasion of the arrival of the newest member of their family."

SERFATY: Max, one last question for you. I know it was a surprise to both of them this morning that they had a baby girl. Did you feel an extra sense of jubilation on the ground there that this was a girl?

FOSTER: Well, yes, because for the last two weeks whenever I asked everyone what they were expecting, everyone said a girl. Everyone really wanted a girl. All the betting was for a girl, so there was a lot of excitement when a girl was finally announced. It was almost like it was a surprise it was a girl in the end. But when they did come out everyone was very, very thrilled to see the little baby. There was mainly media there, but there was a big public center down the road, but there were screams coming out. So I think Britain is pretty happy right now.

SERFATY: Our thanks to you, Max Foster, reporting live in London. I'm Sunlen Serfaty. CNN NEWSROOM continues live from Baltimore with Poppy Harlow at the top of the hour.

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