News / Human Rights

Obama blames 'criminals and thugs' for Baltimore riots

Tuesday, 28 April 2015 6:21 PM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 28 April 2015 6:51 PM ]

US President Barack Obama speaks during a joint press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (unseen) in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, DC, April 28, 2015. (AFP)

US President Barack Obama has condemned the riots in Baltimore, Maryland, blaming "criminals and thugs" for the violence that erupted over the death of an African American man who died in police custody.

During a joint news conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the White House on Tuesday, Obama said that the violent demonstrations in Baltimore undermined the message of peaceful protesters who made "legitimate" complaints about police brutality.

"There is no excuse for the kind of violence we saw yesterday," Obama said. "It is counter-productive."

Obama also expressed condolences to the family of 25-year-old Freddie Gray, who died on April 19, a week after an encounter with police that left him with severe spinal injuries.

Authorities have not explained how or when his spine was injured.

Police have said Gray was arrested after he made eye contact with officers and ran away. Officers pushed Gray to the ground, handcuffed him and placed him into a police van.

Gray’s death has prompted near-daily demonstrations by thousands of protester. Riots broke out on Monday after Gray’s funeral in Baltimore.

Baltimore Police officers in riot gear stand in formation near protestors along Reisterstown Road near Mondawmin Mall in Baltimore, Maryland on April 27, 2015. (AFP photo)

President Obama said police violence in urban areas remains an issue that must be addressed.

"This has been going on for a long time," Obama said, adding that police officers and Americans need to do some "soul searching" about the lack of equal opportunity, poverty, and other problems facing the US.

The growing violence in Baltimore, just 40 miles (64 km) from the White House, represents another challenge for the Obama administration in addressing racial unrest across the country.

Riots over police brutality and race issues have gripped US cities before. The unrest in Baltimore was the most violent in the United States since Ferguson, Missouri, experienced months of protests over the shooting death of black teenager Michael Brown by a white police officer.

AHT/HRJ

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