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‘I Certainly Used The Wrong Phrase’: Baltimore Mayor Regrets Space To Destroy Comment [VIDEO]

Al Weaver Reporter
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Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake offered up regrets on “Meet The Press” Sunday for saying space was given to protesters in Baltimore who “wished to destroy.”

Rawlings-Blake told host Chuck Todd that she “certainly used the wrong phrase,” of which she received roundabout criticism as the riots escalated Monday.

“Do you regret using the phrase ‘space to destroy?'” host Chuck Todd asked.

“You know, I certainly think that it was taken out of context,” Rawlings-Blake started. “Let me say this: I’m from Baltimore, my parents are from here, I’m raising my daughter here. I’m a public defender. As city council person, as mayor, I’ve always worked to strengthen my city. We fought to get those stores in our community. I would never condone rioting. Just period. I would never condone it.”

“So wish you didn’t use that phrase?” Todd followed up.

“I certainly used the wrong phrase to talk about what was clear that there were people who took advantage of the peaceful demonstrator’s First Amendment right, and they used it to destroy our city,” the Baltimore mayor said. “And I don’t condone it, and we’ll make sure that those individuals will be held accountable.”