7 Arrested at Protest Over Torn-Down Confederate ‘Silent Sam’ Statue at UNC
Seven people were arrested at a rally at the University of North Carolina on Saturday, where demonstrators on both sides protested the Confederate “Silent Sam” monument that was removed earlier this week.
Protesters clashed at the Chapel Hill campus, with a group called the “Oathkeepers” rallying in support of the monument being reinstated and opposing groups arguing against the monument being on the campus.
Police said three people were arrested for assault and two for assault, destruction of property and inciting a riot. Another person was arrested for destruction of property, and one person arrested for resisting a police officer.
UNC urged students against participating in the rally yesterday, citing safety concerns.
Message from Carolina on possible rally https://t.co/euhULHybfl pic.twitter.com/VD0jyY9igk
— UNC-Chapel Hill (@UNC) August 24, 2018
On Friday, Thom Goolsby, a member of the UNC System Board of Governors, announced on Twitter the statue be reinstalled within 90 days, citing state law.
“Criminals who destroyed state property at UNC and police who did nothing will be held accountable,” Goolsby tweeted.
Silent Sam Will Be Reinstalled as Required by State Law WITHIN 90 Days. Criminals who destroyed state property at UNC and police who did nothing will be held accountable. https://t.co/u1uPxSyph4 #unc #silencedsam #silencesam #hatecrime #ncgop #wunc #wect #wral #wtvd #wway #ncgop
— Thom Goolsby MBA, JD (@ThomGoolsby) August 23, 2018
