Martin O'Malley, who formerly served as mayor of Baltimore and governor of Maryland, has canceled a series of overseas paid speeches in light of the rioting in the city,
Politico reports.
"I’m saddened that the city I love is in such pain this night," O’Malley said in a prepared statement. "All of us share a profound feeling of grief for Freddie Gray and his family. We must come together as one city to transform this moment of loss and pain into a safer and more just future for all of Baltimore’s people."
Gray died in police custody nine days ago, sparking days of protests that culminated in rioting and looting following Gray's funeral on Monday.
O'Malley is expected to launch a bid for president in May and would face Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primaries. He was set to deliver speeches in London and Dublin, but will now be back in Maryland on Tuesday morning, an aide told Politico.
Some of the people interviewed on cable news on the streets of Baltimore Monday night placed part of the blame of how police treat minorities in the city on O'Malley's leadership.