Charlotte Protesters ‘Hate White People,’ Says North Carolina Congressman

U.S. Rep Robert Pittenger of North Carolina said on Thursday that the occasional outbreaks of violence in the otherwise peaceful Charlotte, North Carolina, protests after police shot a black man to death this week are led by black people who are angry because they are envious of white people.

"The grievance in their mind, the animus, the anger — they hate white people because white people are successful and they’re not," Pittenger, a Republican, said on BBC Newsnight.

Pittenger seemed to justify his comments by suggesting the "anger" is caused by keeping African-Americans on welfare.

"It is a welfare state. We have spent trillions of dollars on welfare, but we’ve put people in bondage, so that they can’t be all that they’re capable of being," said Pittenger. "America is a country of opportunity and freedom and liberty. It didn’t become that way because of a great government who provided everything for everyone. No, the destiny of America, the freedom to come to this country ― where they’re still coming to our shores ― is because they can take their work ethic, their hard effort, and put up their capital and their risk, and build out their lives."

The North Carolina Democratic Party issued a statement condemning the remarks and called on North Carolina's political leaders to take action.

"These comments are inexcusable. At a time when we need calm and understanding while we learn more about the shooting of Keith Lamont Scott, Congressman Robert Pittenger is fanning the flames of hate with his racist rhetoric," the statement read.

It continued: "This sort of bigotry has become all too common under the party of Donald J. Trump. Our great state should not be represented by someone who would make such hateful comments. Congressmen Pittenger must apologize, and Governor Pat McCrory and every Republican leader in this state should denounce this hateful rhetoric immediately."

One state representative said he was "ashamed to serve" with Pittenger.

Hours later on Twitter, Pittenger attempted to walk back his comments.

Although he did say, "I apologize," some were bothered that he tried to justify his words by blaming the protesters.

Photo credit: Congressman Robert Pittenger via Flick Commons