Despite evidence of racial discrimination within the Ferguson Police Department, US President Barack Obama condemned the recent attack on police in the St. Louis suburb.
President appeared on ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on Thursday and said that whoever shot two police officers during a protest in Ferguson are "criminals" and "need to be arrested."
"What had been happening in Ferguson was oppressive and objectionable and was worthy of protest," Obama said.
“But there was no excuse for criminal acts. They need to be arrested … What we have to make sure of is that the folks who disregard and disrespect the other side, people who resort to violence, that they're marginalized,” he added.
It was president's first remark on the shooting, which injured two police officers. The officers have subsequently been released from the hospital, and police is still looking for the suspects.
Citing a recent Justice Department report that showed a pattern of racism by Ferguson police and city officials Obama said the next step needs to involve law enforcement and members of the community working together.
"What we need to do is make sure that like-minded, good-spirited people on both sides ... that we're able to work together to try and come up with some good answers," Obama said.
Ferguson has witnessed a slew of protests since the fatal police-involved shooting of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown last August.
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