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| Dallas shooting: Obama urges US to 'reject despair' | Dallas shooting: Obama urges US to 'reject despair' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| President Barack Obama has urged the US to "reject despair" as he paid tribute to five police officers killed during a deadly sniper attack 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. | 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 are struggling with what has happened in the past week, he said, and events appeared to have revealed "the deepest fault line of our democracy". | Americans are struggling with what has 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. | |
| Live updates from the service | Live updates from the service |
| 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' |
| 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 Texan, praised the police: "Their courage is our protection and shield." | Ex-President George W Bush, a Texan, 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 meet privately with the families of the victims on Wednesday. | First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, will also meet privately with the families of the victims on Wednesday. |
| Dallas police have ramped up security ahead of the president's visit, enlisting help from the Arlington Police Department to work with Secret Security. | Dallas police have ramped up security ahead of the president's visit, enlisting help from the Arlington Police Department to work with Secret Security. |
| The US has been on edge in the wake of the recent string of violence, with protests over police reform and race relations roiling across the country. | The US has been on edge in the wake of the recent string of violence, with protests over police reform and race relations roiling across the country. |
| Mr Obama and Mr Biden on Monday met with law enforcement officials to discuss police reform and how to repair relations between police officers and the communities they protect. | Mr Obama and Mr Biden on Monday met with 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. |