Religious Leaders Call for Rebuilding in Wake of Baltimore Protests

Local religious leaders in Baltimore, Maryland have announced their plans to begin rebuilding their city following a week of curfew and protests, some of which involved the burning of buildings and looting.

The Southern Baptist Church in Baltimore held a service for locals Sunday afternoon that spoke of hope and rebuilding in the wake of the riots. The church has vowed to rebuild two of its projects, the Mary Harvin Transformation Center and senior apartments, that were destroyed last week in a fire from the riots.

In a press conference following Sunday's service, The Rev. Donte Hickman Sr., said he hopes the rebuilding project will restore hope to the Baltimore community.

 "We are elated that these rebuild efforts are moving from a state in the abstract to a very real and material reality that will restore not only a building but the hopes and dreams of a community that has experienced so much," Hickman, who is pastor of the Southern Baptist Church, said during the press conference.

According to The Baltimore Sun, Rep. Elijah Cummings also spoke at Sunday's service, speaking on the importance of rebuilding for future generations of Baltimore residents.

Protests flooded the streets of Baltimore last week over the death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray, who died of a spinal injury while in police custody.

Baltimore's Chief Prosecutor Maryland Mosby announced late last week that the six officers who were involved in Gray's arrest will be criminally charged, with one facing a murder charge, three facing manslaughter charges and two facing assault charges.