Seven people have been arrested amid protests on Saturday over the toppled “Silent Sam” Confederate soldier statue at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Three were booked for assault; two for assault, destruction of property and inciting a riot; one for destruction of property; and one for resisting an officer, according to MyFox8.
Protesters tore down “Sam” on Monday. Footage shows people kicking and spitting on the toppled statue.
The statue was dedicated in 1913 in memory of Confederate soldiers in the Civil War. Julian Carr, a businessman, spoke at that dedication, and bragged about attacking a black woman.
Critics argue the statue commemorates white supremacy.
In spite of this history, however, school and government officials have said it was dangerous and illegal to topple the statue.
[Screengrab via The New York Times]