Rep. Robert Pittenger sorry for saying Charlotte protesters 'hate white people'
A North Carolina congressman has apologized for saying the protesters in Charlotte "hate white people because white people are successful and they're not."
Rep. Robert Pittenger, a Republican, made the remarks in an interview with the BBC broadcast in the United Kingdom late Thursday.
RELATED: Rep. Robert Pittenger (R NC-9)
Protesters in #Charlotte "hate white people" - North Carolina Congressman Pittenger tells #newsnighthttps://t.co/q6ELYD01QV
— BBC Newsnight (@BBCNewsnight) September 22, 2016
"The grievance in their mind is the animus, the anger," Pittenger told the program, referring to the protesters in Charlotte. "They hate white people because white people are successful and they're not."
RELATED: Protests in Charlotte after police kill Keith Lamont Scott
The comments sparked an immediate backlash, with fellow North Carolina Congressman G.K. Butterfield — a Democrat — calling the remarks "disgusting" and "appalling."
The people of NC and CLT deserve better than devastatingly ignorant and divisive comments, @reppittenger. We must move forward together.
— G. K. Butterfield (@GKButterfield) September 22, 2016
Around two hours after giving the interview, Pittenger tweeted: "My anguish led me to respond to a reporter's question in a way that I regret."
He claimed he was "quoting statements made by angry protesters last night on national TV" and that his "intent was to discuss the lack of economic mobility for African-Americans because of failed policies."
What is taking place in my hometown breaks my heart. Today, my anguish led me to respond to a reporter's question in a way that I regret
— Congressman Robert Pittenger (@RepPittenger) September 22, 2016
My answer to BBC doesn't reflect who I am. I was quoting statements made by angry protesters last night on national TV. Not my intent
— Congressman Robert Pittenger (@RepPittenger) September 22, 2016
My intent was to discuss the lack of economic mobility for African Americans because of failed policies.
— Congressman Robert Pittenger (@RepPittenger) September 22, 2016
I apologize to those I offended and hope we can bring peace and calm to Charlotte.
— Congressman Robert Pittenger (@RepPittenger) September 22, 2016
Pittenger represents North Carolina's 9th District, which includes southern parts of Charlotte. Protests broke out in the city following the police shooting of African-American man named Keith Lamont Scott on Tuesday.
RELATED: Support for the Black Lives Matter movement
Police say Scott was armed but his family has expressed doubt over that claim.
Even after Pittenger's apology, social media was alight with criticism.
Charlotte is one of the most racist cities I've been to & after listening to these NC lawmakers Robert Pittenger and Pat McCrory, I see why
— Tariq Nasheed 🇺🇸 (@tariqnasheed) September 23, 2016
