In response to the Charlottesville violence, protesters in Durham, North Carolina, brought down a Confederate statue this week in a video that quickly went viral.
In North Carolina, however, the act of forcibly removing a monument is illegal, and police officers soon began arresting the alleged vandalizers. In response, dozens of people attempted to turn themselves into police on Thursday morning in solidarity.
Walking in to sheriffs office to collectively turn ourselves to say: targeting racial justice organizers? arrest me too! pic.twitter.com/YtTTDEQv20
— ben carroll (@bncrrll) August 17, 2017
Sheriffs not allowing orhers to turn themselves in, @LamontLilly explains pic.twitter.com/Zy3aBxK2in
— ben carroll (@bncrrll) August 17, 2017
Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper on Tuesday called on the state legislature to repeal a law that makes it illegal to forcibly remove monuments. Meanwhile, Sheriff Michael D. Andrews said that “no one is getting away with what happened. We will find the people responsible.” According to the New York Times, officers began to raid the homes of people who were suspected of being involved in bringing down the statue.
As CNN points out, 22-year-old Takiya Fatima Thompson on Tuesday was charged with two felonies (participation in a riot with property damage in excess of $1,500 and inciting others to riot) and two other misdemeanors. Three others were arrested on Wednesday and face the same charges, and on Thursday, three other people were charged with inciting a riot.
A few hours later, the three who were arrested on Thursday were released.
Elena, Raul, and Zan are out!! #DefendDurham pic.twitter.com/8SS813f1wR
— ben carroll (@bncrrll) August 17, 2017
H/T the Cut