Protesters vow to continue sit-in after UNC clears site
CHAPEL HILL (WTVD) -- Protesters are vowing to continue a sit-in protesting a Confederate statue even after the University of North Carolina removed picnic tables, tarps, and other equipment from the site.
RELATED: PROTEST CONTINUES AT UNC SILENT SAM STATUE; 3 ARRESTS MADE
Police officers and other university officials removed the objects from around the statue known as "Silent Sam" on Thursday morning.
At least 10 protesters were still sitting on the pedestal of the statue after the items were cleared. Signs that had been taped to the statue were also removed.
A large group of more than a hundred protesters rallied on the campus Thursday afternoon at the area known as "The Pit" before marching to the statue.
The protesters chanted, "This racist statue has got to go" and made speeches.
UNC system leaders have expressed concern about the statue and public safety, saying it is only a matter of time before an attempt is made to pull it down in the same way a statue in downtown Durham was destroyed earlier this month.
Under a law passed by the General Assemble and signed by then-Governor Pat McCrory in 2015, only the N.C. Historical Commission can give approval for Confederate monuments to be moved.
The student protesters Thursday also called on the UNC System Board of Governors not to vote to strip the UNC Civil Rights Center of its litigation powers during a September 8 meeting.
Some board members want to remove the center's litigation powers. Others say it's necessary.
The activists say the center helps many people in the community by representing them in civil rights legal cases.
Some fear stripping those powers could lead to the closure of the center.
