A North Carolina congressman says that 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 his 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 protests increased after another black man was shot during the protests.

The North Carolina Democratic Party released a statement saying Pittengertarget="_blank"'>