Obama says no one is 'entirely immune' to racism in wake of Dallas shooting

President Barack Obama has called for Americans to “sustain unity” following the murder of five police officers in Dallas and heightening racial tensions across the country.

“We’re here to honour the memory and mourn the loss of five fellow Americans,” he said, “to grieve with their loved ones, to support their community, to pray for the wounded, and to try to find some meaning amidst our sorrow."

The president cut short his trip to Poland and flew to Dallas with First Lady Michelle Obama to attend the memorial ceremony.

Dallas police officers Lorne Ahrens, Michael Smith, Brent Thompson, Michael Krol and Patrick Zamarripa were killed whilst overseeing a peaceful protest against the deaths of two black men in Baton Rouge and Minnesota.

The president's speech focused on racial divisions, on police feeling “unfairly maligned” and African Americans feeling “unfairly targeted”.

He talked of how black people are more likely to receive the death penalty or be stopped and searched by police.

“None of us is entirely innocent [from racism],” he said. “No institution is entirely immune. And that includes our police department. We know this.”

In a state where the governor Greg Abbott is strongly pro-guns, Mr Obama’s disparaging comments about lax gun laws were saved for more than half way through his speech.

“We flood communities with so many guns that it’s easier for a teenager to get their hands on a glock than a computer or a book,” he said. "Then we tell the police: you’re the social worker, you’re the teacher, you’re the parent, you’re the drug councillor.”

“We ask the police to do too much, and we ask too little of ourselves," he said.

He highlighted Shetamia Taylor, the woman who got shot while protecting her four sons amid gun fire, and how one of her 12-year-old sons wants to be a police officer when he grows up.

“That’s the America I know,” said Mr Obama amid a standing ovation.

“Those who don’t like the phrase 'Black Lives Matter' - even they should hear the pain of Alton Sterling’s family,” he said, referring to the black man who was killed in Baton Rouge.

He described Philando Castile, another man killed by police, as a “gentle soul”, whose life mattered to many people of all races.

He thanked the Dallas mayor, Mike Rawlings, and the Dallas chief of police, David Brown, who has served over 30 years in the police force and who has lost his partner, his brother and son to violence in the city.

“Thank you for your steady leadership and for your powerful example,” Mr Obama told them.

Police chief Brown quoted his favorite song lyrics for the fallen police officers and their families.

“Until the ocean covers every mountain high, I’ll be loving you,” he said.

Texas senator John Cornyn also expressed gratitude to the former president and Texan George W Bush and his wife Laura in the way they “inspired” Americans to unite against hatred during the days after 9/11.

“None of us were prepared or could be prepared for such an ambush with malice,” said Mr Bush. “The shock of this evil has not faded. At times it seems the forces pulling us apart are stronger than the forces binding us together.”

“Americans have a great advantage. We only have to remember our values,” he added.