CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - A North Carolina congressman says people are protesting in Charlotte because they "hate white people."
U.S. Rep. Robert Pittenger, a Republican whose district includes parts of Charlotte, was asked by an interviewer for Britain's BBC TV what grievance the protesters have.
In the video posted online Thursday, Pittenger responded: "The grievance in their mind is - the animus, the anger - they hate white people because white people are successful and they're not."
He later released a statement apologizing and saying that anguish over the situation led him to give a response he regretted.
Chaotic protests broke out Tuesday and Wednesday in Charlotte after a black man was shot to death by a police officer.
The North Carolina Democratic Party released a statement saying Pittenger's remarks were inexcusable and racist.