‘HIGHLY CHARGED’

Protests Over Confederate Statue at UNC Lead to Arrests

Demonstrators waving Confederate flags were met by groups chanting “Nazis go home!”

At least seven people were arrested Saturday during rival rallies over the toppling of a Confederate-era statue at the University of North Carolina. “Three arrests were for assault, the fourth for destruction of property and the fifth arrest for resisting an officer. The sixth arrest was for assault, destruction of property and inciting a riot. We are awaiting information on charges for the seventh arrest,” the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill media relations office said in a statement. Demonstrators opposed to the statue’s removal reportedly faced off against groups who supported the move, with several people spotted waving Confederate flags. Other groups marched through the streets chanting, “Nazis go home!” and “Racists go home!” The university had warned people to avoid the rally and its “highly charged” atmosphere on Friday, noting that some students had already received threats after the “Silent Sam” statue was pulled down earlier this week. Three people face misdemeanor charges in connection with the statue’s removal.