In Durham, North Carolina, “protesters” brought down a Confederate statue.
Here’s video of “protesters” before the statue came down:
BREAKING: Protestors storm Confederate statue outside @DurhamCounty Courthouse. @ABC11_WTVD pic.twitter.com/nkbYNUnfwR
— Jonah Kaplan (@KaplanABC11) August 14, 2017
And after:
MORE: Protestors rip down statue of Confederate soldier. Monument has stood since in @DurhamCounty since 1924. @ABC11_WTVD pic.twitter.com/4MjFXsxS18
— Jonah Kaplan (@KaplanABC11) August 14, 2017
Today, the Durham Sheriff’s Department responded.
They will seek criminal charges against the protesters who vandalized the statue.
.@DurhamSheriff to seek criminal charges against demonstrators in connection with statue vandalism last night.https://t.co/H2Lqy5ip4R pic.twitter.com/kV4QhTXimu
— Durham Sheriff (@DurhamSheriff) August 15, 2017
Durham County Sheriff Mike Andrews’ statement said this:
“County leaders were aware of the risk of damage to the Confederate statute, as well as, the potential risk of injury to the public and officers should deputies attempt to control the crowd. Collectively, we decided that restraint and public safety would be our priority. As the Sheriff, I am not blind to the offensive conduct of some demonstrators nor will I ignore their criminal conduct. With the help of video captured at the scene, my investigators are working to identify those responsible for the removal and vandalism of the statue.”
Here’s the Sheriff speaking:
.@DurhamSheriff says yesterday things went too far. His office is investigating a “blatant violation of the law.” pic.twitter.com/ADSW8Sb10H
— Derrick Lewis (@DerrickQLewis) August 15, 2017
Some weren’t so happy that it took so long for the Durham Sheriff’s Department to act:
About time!
— Rick (@RickMarineGrunt) August 15, 2017
Will justice be done?
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