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WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General Loretta Lynch calls this week's rioting in Baltimore "senseless acts of violence" that were counterproductive to improving relationships between the police and community.
In her first public remarks on the unrest since being sworn in two days ago, Lynch says Baltimore could be seen as a symbol of the national debate on race relations and law enforcement. "But," she adds that Baltimore is "more than just a symbol," it's a great and "beautiful city" that police are trying to protect and peaceful protesters are trying to improve.
Lynch, the former federal prosecutor for parts of New York City, was sworn in Monday to replace Eric Holder, becoming the first African-American woman to serve as the nation's top law enforcement official.
She spoke about the situation in Baltimore at the start of a cybersecurity summit Wednesday at the Justice Department.
The FBI and Justice Department have been investigating the death of Freddie Gray for potential civil rights violations. The 25-year-old black man suffered severe spinal injuries while in police custody.
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257-w-35-(Sagar Meghani (SAH'-gur meh-GAH'-nee), AP national security correspondent, with Attorney General Loretta Lynch)--The nation's new attorney general is pledging whatever help Baltimore needs to help restore calm after violence following the death of a black man in police custody. AP National Security Correspondent Sagar Meghani reports. (29 Apr 2015)
<<CUT *257 (04/29/15)££ 00:35
216-a-09-(Attorney General Loretta Lynch, in remarks)-"across the city"-Attorney General Loretta Lynch says the Justice Department will do what it can to help authorities in Baltimore. (29 Apr 2015)
<<CUT *216 (04/29/15)££ 00:09 "across the city"
217-a-10-(Attorney General Loretta Lynch, in remarks)-"ultimate goal here"-Attorney General Loretta Lynch says the violence in Baltimore does not help address the bigger issue of how communities and law enforcement officials can better interact. (29 Apr 2015)
<<CUT *217 (04/29/15)££ 00:10 "ultimate goal here"
218-a-13-(Attorney General Loretta Lynch, in remarks)-"and to protect"-Attorney General Loretta Lynch says the focus must be on a bigger goal, not carrying out violence in the streets. (29 Apr 2015)
<<CUT *218 (04/29/15)££ 00:13 "and to protect"
219-a-07-(Attorney General Loretta Lynch, in remarks)-"of our cities"-Attorney General Loretta Lynch says the nation must see Baltimore as more than just a symbol of violence. (29 Apr 2015)
<<CUT *219 (04/29/15)££ 00:07 "of our cities"
220-a-12-(Attorney General Loretta Lynch, in remarks)-"and community expression"-Attorney General Loretta Lynch says Baltimore is not unlike other places in America. (29 Apr 2015)
<<CUT *220 (04/29/15)££ 00:12 "and community expression"
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