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Seven Arrested Over North Carolina Confederate Statue

Silent Sam Statue
creative commons
Silent Sam Statue

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) - Officials say seven people have been arrested at a rally calling for a century-old Confederate statue at the University of North Carolina to be returned after it was yanked down five days ago.

About a dozen people carrying Confederate flags were met Saturday by dozens of protesters that don't want the memorial nicknamed "Silent Sam" to return.

Videos posted to social media showed several punches thrown and at least one man handcuffed after he tried to burn a Confederate flag.

University officials say seven people were arrested on charges ranging from assault to destruction of property and resisting an officer. Officials did not release their names or say if they were protesting for or against the statue.

The statue, erected in 1913, was torn down Monday during a protest. It's now in temporary storage.

Don Rush is the News Director and Senior Producer of News and Public Affairs at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.