Obama cheered the protesters throughout the online event and urged them to keep going.

"I know enough about that history to say: There is something different here," Obama said, referring to the protests of the 1960s.

To bring about real change, we both have to highlight a problem and make people in power uncomfortable, but we also have to translate that into practical solutions and laws that can be implemented."

Obama did not mention President Donald Trump in his remarks, but his message marked a stark contrast with Trump's focus on cracking down on the protests and message of "law and order."

Obama didn't directly criticize anyone during the event, but he closed with a veiled message to those Americans who have criticized or are worried about the protests.

"And for those who have been talking about protests, just remember, this country was founded on protest.

And we should all be thankful for folks who are willing in a peaceful, disciplined way to be out there making a difference."

The most personal portion of Obama's comments came when he invoked his own family during a message the former president said was meant specifically for young black men and women.

"Now I want to speak directly to the young men and women of color in this country who ...

"You have communicated a sense of urgency that is as powerful and transformative as anything I have seen in recent years."

Obama's comments came during a virtual town hall Wednesday evening hosted by My Brother's Keeper Alliance, a program of the Obama Foundation.

An Obama aide had said the former president planned to address Floyd's death during the event, wanting to stress the importance of "ensuring that this moment becomes one for real change" and that the protests around the country lead to new policies.

Throughout the event Obama linked the current protests with the 400 years of discrimination black Americans have faced.

"In a lot of ways, what has happened over the last several weeks is challenges and structural problems here in the United States have been thrown into high relief," he said.