Drop Charges Against Durham Heroes Who Pulled Down Confederate Statue!

On Monday, protesters took it upon themselves to bring down a Confederate statue in Durham, N.C., following the violence that erupted in Charlottesville over the weekend. Now, Durham County Sheriff Mike Andrews has announced that charges have been brought against four protesters for their participation in dismantling the statue, and that additional arrest are likely.

Please sign this petition demanding that the Durham County Sheriff’s Office drop all existing charges against protesters and end efforts to bring forth future charges against others involved.

The four individuals have been charged with participation in a riot with property damaging exceeding $1,500 and inciting others to riot, both of which are felonies. They have also been charged with damage to property and disorderly conduct by injury to a statue, both misdemeanors.

It’s unconscionable that felony and misdemeanor charges are being considered for individuals involved in toppling a statue, while several white supremacists caught on tape beating counter protesters in Charlottesville remain free.

After the violent events in Charlottesville, it has become undeniably clear that the time has come for Confederate monuments to be removed from public spaces across the country. Even North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has expressed his intent to remove North Carolina’s remaining Confederate monuments, saying that, “We cannot continue to glorify a war against the United States of America fought in the defense of slavery.”

Please join in demanding that Durham County Sheriff Mike Andrews drop all charges against Durham protesters for bringing down this symbol of hate and bigotry.