Carter Street residents respond to Joseph Errigo comments about neighborhood Video

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC-TV) - This political season has been notable for its string of headline-grabbing quotes from candidates, but that has mainly been on the national level.

Thursday, however, a local politician is responding to several comments he made that drew swift condemnation. Former Assemblyman of the 130th District, Joseph Errigo, was a guest on Connections with Evan Dawson Thursday afternoon, discussing policies in an interview with Barbara Baer. Errigo and Baer are running against one another for the 133rd District Assembly seat.

Some of those comments were directed at the street Joe Errigo grew up on, and they have people in the neighborhood riled up.

"The President has done a disservice and I don't condone the way he talks sometimes," said Errigo. "They're telling the black people, get out there, kill them, kill the whites." Errigo caused a stir on social media with his comments that that appeared to suggest that President Obama encouraged black people to kill white people. He later clarified his comments in a statement, saying:

"My comments earlier today spoke to my belief of President Obama's lack of leadership with respect to supporting our law enforcement personnel and easing racial tensions that have escalated to alarming levels during his presidency. I certainly do not believe that President Obama is directly encouraging attacks on law enforcement nor encouraging divisive actions."

Opponent Barbara Baer later sent out a statement.

"The remarks of Joseph Errigo on the Evan Dawson show are completely unacceptable," said Baer.

In the same interview, Errigo said that global warming isn't real, but rather an invention by a University in England.

In another controversial remark, Errigo, who grew up on Carter Street in Rochester, said he wouldn't go down that street now in an armored vehicle.

Residents of the Carter Street neighborhood responded to those comments on Thursday night.