Baltimore Riots: Obama Says 'No Excuse' for 'Senseless' Violence

[IDemo]

Source: ABC News

President Obama condemned the violence in Baltimore this afternoon, saying there is "no excuse" for the violence, looting and arson that followed the funeral held for Freddie Gray, the 25-year-old African American who died after suffering a spine injury in police custody earlier this month.

"They're not protesting, they're not making a statement, they're stealing," Obama said in a joint press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

"They're destroying and undermining businesses and opportunities in their own communities that rob jobs and opportunity from people in that area," he added.

The public comments are Obama's first since violence began in Baltimore on Monday afternoon and continued overnight -- following nearly 200 arrests and roughly 150 fires, according to the Baltimore mayor’s office.

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/obama-excuse-senseless-violence-baltimore/story?id=30648026

[still_one]

1. Actually he said more than that. He said this is a systemic problem. He actually called out the

police union, and told them it is time for them to stop closing ranks around one another when these things happen, and come to the table

At least that is what I heard also in the press conference

[yeoman6987]

2. Well the President always tells it like it is

[global1]

3. He Also Spoke About The Poverty In The Communities And They Focus On....

no excuse for senseless violence. Come on now.

[Maedhros]

4. There is no excuse for police violence against unarmed black men, Mr. President.

Why aren't you taking action against that problem?

[cstanleytech]

12. What action is it that you want him to take exactly?

Disband the police? Fire them? That isnt something the federal government can do typically.

[frazzled]

5. And here's what he also said

President Obama told reporters at a White House news conference on Tuesday that the media ignored peaceful protests in the city until violence erupted, and gave his views on the broader problems facing American cities.

"Frankly it didn't get that much attention," Obama said of the peaceful movement sparked by the death of black man Freddie Gray, who died in police custody. "One burning building will be looped on television over and over and over again. The thousands of demonstrators who did it the right way, I think, have been lost in the discussion."

The President added that unrest in cities like Baltimore will not go away until solutions are found beyond law enforcement.

"This is not new, and we shouldn't pretend that it's new," he said.

"If we think we're going to send police to do the dirty work of containing the problems that arise there — without as a nation and society saying what can we do to change those communities, to help lift up communities, and give those kids opportunity — then we're not going to solve this problem," he added.

"We'll go through the same cycles of periodic conflicts between the police and communities, and occasional riots in the streets. And everybody will feign concern until it goes away," Obama added. "Then we'll go about our business as usual."

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/obama-freddie-gray-media-baltimore

Everybody cherry-picks the lines they want to hear or promote. Obama sees the whole picture. And so should we

[bigworld]

6. Thanks Frazzled

you said it.

[JDPriestly]

8. Very good points. But there is still no excuse for violence whether it is

by the police or by the mob.

Violence to buildings and things can quickly become violence to people. That is why it is wrong to use violence against buildings and things.

We have serious economic problems in this country. The disparity in wealth and opportunity is our biggest problem.

But violence just worsens that disparity.

[JDPriestly]

7. Violence is wrong.

I do not understand how anyone can condemn police violence (and I do) and then condone mob violence.

Violence is wrong.

I understand the frustration. But frustration is no excuse for violence.

[cstanleytech]

13. I dont understand it either *shrug*

[ciaobaby]

9. Blah Blah Blah

This is so predictable. Politicians continue to try to please everyone. (I voted for O twice but not thrilled with his lack of attention to these ongoing systemic problems) Nothing seems to get done in regard to poverty, joblessness, racism, and police brutality.

I still want to know what is going on with the "review" of the thug cops that killed Freddie Gray.
Every thing has been said that can be said about the protests.

Now can we please get back to the innocent mans murder at the hands of the police.

[Gore1FL]

10. He's exactly right.

For both sides of this. It's senseless violence on the part of the police that typically started this thing.

[alp227]

11. Yet Breitbart, Fox News, TheBlaze, etc. will insist Obama ENCOURAGES these riots.

Seriously. How the FREAK do right wingers live with themselves, with such a lack of sense of reality?