DURHAM, N.C. _ Durham County Sheriff Mike Andrews said he will seek criminal charges against protesters who pulled down a Confederate statue in front of the old Durham County courthouse Monday night.
"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," Andrews wrote. "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."
As protesters put up a ladder on the statue, sheriff officials videotaped the event, but didn't intervene. Protesters then put a yellow bungie-like rope around the statute and pulled it down.
"I am grateful the events that unfolded Monday evening did not result in serious injury or the loss of life, but the planned demonstration should serve as a sobering example of the price we all pay when civil disobedience is no longer civil," the sheriff's statement said. "Before the protest, my staff met with our community partners to discuss how to safely and appropriately respond to the protest."
Andrews is asking city and county leaders for guidelines and safe protest spaces to prevent demonstrations from becoming disruptive and dangerous, he said.
