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Dallas shooting: Obama urges US to 'reject despair' | Dallas shooting: Obama urges US to 'reject despair' |
(about 5 hours later) | |
President Barack Obama has urged the US to "reject despair" as he paid tribute to five police officers killed by a gunman in Dallas. | |
He told a memorial service in the city the US must "try to find some meaning amidst our sorrow" and could unite. | He told a memorial service in the city the US must "try to find some meaning amidst our sorrow" and could unite. |
His trip came amid mounting racial tensions across the country. | His trip came amid mounting racial tensions across the country. |
Micah Johnson killed the Dallas officers at a protest held over the recent police shootings of African-Americans in Minnesota and Louisiana. | |
Before he was killed by police, he said he was angry about the shootings. | Before he was killed by police, he said he was angry about the shootings. |
Meanwhile, protests over excessive police force against black Americans have been held in cities across the US. | Meanwhile, protests over excessive police force against black Americans have been held in cities across the US. |
But speaking at Morton H Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas on Tuesday, Mr Obama urged the country not to despair. | But speaking at Morton H Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas on Tuesday, Mr Obama urged the country not to despair. |
Americans were struggling with what had happened in the past week, he said, and events appeared to have revealed "the deepest fault line of our democracy". | |
"I'm here to say we must reject such despair. I'm here to insist that we are not as divided as we seem." | "I'm here to say we must reject such despair. I'm here to insist that we are not as divided as we seem." |
He honoured the bravery of police officers and said fewer people were being mourned at the service because of the courage of the officers killed. | He honoured the bravery of police officers and said fewer people were being mourned at the service because of the courage of the officers killed. |
Dallas police chief scarred by tragedy | Dallas police chief scarred by tragedy |
Who were the victims? | Who were the victims? |
US police: 'We are not punching bags' | US police: 'We are not punching bags' |
US racial divide - special report | US racial divide - special report |
The service featured five portraits of the officers and five empty chairs. | The service featured five portraits of the officers and five empty chairs. |
Ex-President George W Bush, a former Texas governor, praised the police: "Their courage is our protection and shield." | |
And Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings, who spoke first, said: "The soul of our city was pierced." | And Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings, who spoke first, said: "The soul of our city was pierced." |
First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, will also hold a private meeting with the families of the victims on Wednesday. | First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, will also hold a private meeting with the families of the victims on Wednesday. |
The US has been on edge in the wake of the recent string of violence, roiled by protests over police reform and race relations. | |
And Mr Obama has been criticised for not doing enough to support the police, many of whom say they feel under attack because of the protests and criticism. | And Mr Obama has been criticised for not doing enough to support the police, many of whom say they feel under attack because of the protests and criticism. |
Reaction to President Obama's speech | Reaction to President Obama's speech |
Mr Obama and Mr Biden on Monday met law enforcement officials to discuss police reform and how to repair relations between police officers and the communities they protect. | |
The president, who cut short a trip to Europe over the recent violence, is expected to host a similar meeting on Wednesday in Dallas with law enforcement as well as local leaders and activists. | The president, who cut short a trip to Europe over the recent violence, is expected to host a similar meeting on Wednesday in Dallas with law enforcement as well as local leaders and activists. |