Officials in several states have renewed calls to remove Confederate monuments from public spaces, following the outrage at the deadly violence surrounding a White nationalist rally in Charlottesville, VA.
Protesters toppled a Confederate monument in Durham, North Carolina, on Aug. 14, using a ladder and rope, according to NBC affiliate WRAL.
The decision to remove the Confederate Soldiers Monument was not condoned by authorities. The Durham County Sheriff’s Office said that they will seek vandalism charges. against those involved.
“I am grateful the events that unfolded Monday evening did not result in serious injury or the loss of life, but the planned demonstration should serve as a sobering example of the price we all pay when civil disobedience is no longer civil,” Sheriff Mike Andrews said in a statement.
On Aug. 15, Takiya Fatima Thompson, 22, was among four people charged with toppling the statue. Thompson was charged with two felonies — participation in a riot with property damage in excess of $1,500 and inciting others to riot — and two misdemeanors — disorderly conduct by injury to a statue and damage to property, the sheriff’s office said. She was held on $10,000 bond.