Peaceful protests vital in bringing change: Obama
10 Dec 2014 12:18 AM GMT
US President Barack Obama defended the importance of peaceful protests during an interview broadcast on Monday, saying they were necessary to help bring about social change.
Obama’s comments on BET, a black-oriented television network, came as protests continued across the country following decisions by grand juries in Missouri and New York not to indict white police officers in the deaths of unarmed black men. “I think as long as they’re peaceful, I think they’re necessary,” Obama said of the protests. “When they turn violent, then they’re counterproductive.” The chokehold death of Garner in New York and the fatal shooting of Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, this past summer have highlighted US race relations.
Obama’s comments on BET, a black-oriented television network, came as protests continued across the country following decisions by grand juries in Missouri and New York not to indict white police officers in the deaths of unarmed black men. “I think as long as they’re peaceful, I think they’re necessary,” Obama said of the protests. “When they turn violent, then they’re counterproductive.” The chokehold death of Garner in New York and the fatal shooting of Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, this past summer have highlighted US race relations.
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