NC congressman says Charlotte protesters ‘hate white people’

He later released a statement apologizing for what he said, and his comments were condemned by some Democrats.

“What is taking place in my hometown right now breaks my heart. My anguish led me to respond to a reporter’s question in a way that I regret,” he said in his apology statement.

Protesters massed on the Charlotte’s streets for a third night Thursday, though the demonstrations were peaceful. Two previous nights included chaotic protests that damaged property, injured people and led to one death.

The protests stemmed from the shooting of a black man by a black police officer Tuesday.

The North Carolina Democratic Party released a statement saying Pittenger’s remarks were inexcusable and accused him of “fanning the flames of hate with his racist rhetoric.”

On Thurday night, Pittenger approached North Carolina Reps. G.K. Butterfield and Alma Adams, both black Democrats, on the House floor and apologized for his remarks, according to aides for the two lawmakers.

“She appreciated the outreach,” Rhonda Foxx, Adams’ chief of staff, said Friday.

Pittenger, who was first elected to his seat in 2012, won a razor-thin Republican primary this year after a recount, and he faces a Democratic challenger in the November election. His largely affluent district was redrawn under court-ordered redistricting and now includes poorer areas along the South Carolina border.

Jonathan Drew, The Associated Press

by Canadian Press

NC congressman says Charlotte protesters ‘hate white people’

What's Trending