Gun control activist pleads for forgiveness on Twitter after criticizing violence by people who aren't white

On Monday, political activist David Hogg tweeted condemning violence, and then quickly apologized, saying his comments were directed at white people only.

Hogg's initial statement was:

Young people can stage a nonviolent political revolution over the coming decade but it will require all of us voting in consistently high # EVERY election, protesting, organizing and running for office and most importantly the persistence, love and community to overcome setbacks,” Hogg tweeted on Monday morning. “To do so we must all practice the humility, kindness and grace to be the political leaders we need to be in order to create such change.

We must not fall for the slander espoused by those in power that says violence will solve our problems, they only say that so they can have an excuse to grow their authoritarianism. I have seen how violence and hate destroys lives and communities- it is not the answer.

The use of violence to acquire political power is deeply rooted in imperialism, capitalism and white supremacy[.] I personally refuse to believe that the use of this same violence will ever create nonviolent systems of government that represent and support everyone.

This was followed by widespread criticism by his followers, and the immediate retraction:

This is directed specifically at the young white people I see arming themselves or wanting to so they can go and loot and act in antagonistic ways against the state trying to use allyship as a cover. Let me be clear what I am NOT trying to do is tell BIPOC people how they should react to violence directed at them by the state. It’s not my place or any white persons to direct or criticize the way BIPOC people choose to defend themselves against this violence from the state.

I am sorry for how understandably anyone could have misinterpreted what was said,” he continued. “I appreciate those that have called me out and let me know how this tweet was offensive and I am welcome to continuing to learn. Many are understandably upset and offended and I have have (sic) to do my part in admitting to mistakes when I make them and supporting my friends.

I appreciate those that have called me out and let me know how this tweet was offensive and I am welcome to continuing to learn. Many are understandably upset and offended and I have have to do my part in admitting to mistakes when I make them and supporting my friends"

Hogg became famous in the wake of the school shooting at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL, which was part of a wave of school shootings.  Hogg spearheaded a students' movement calling for tighter gun controls, among other things.  This movement morphed eventually into the activist group "March for Our Lives."