INDY reporter Cole Villena went to McCorkle Place last night after news broke that UNC Chancellor Carol Folt had resigned and authorized the removal of the base of Silent Sam. Throughout the night, he live-tweeted the protest and the base’s removal. We’ve collected those tweets here.
UNC Chancellor Carol Folt announced the removal of the Silent Sam pedestal and her resignation in a campus email today.@takeactionch announced a press conference at the pedestal to be held at 7 p.m. pic.twitter.com/00ApnHod6f
— Cole Villena (@colevillena) January 14, 2019
In addition to this evening’s press conference, activist Lindsay Ayling just announced a party celebrating the statue’s fall to be held at 8 p.m. tomorrow at Peace and Justice Plaza.
— Cole Villena (@colevillena) January 15, 2019
I count around 15 anti-Sam activists here tonight and one police officer.
— Cole Villena (@colevillena) January 15, 2019
Lindsay Ayling: Folt’s decision to remove Silent Sam is not a product of her own moral courage, it’s a product of decades of anti-racist activism pic.twitter.com/D2UWHotEDK
— Cole Villena (@colevillena) January 15, 2019
“Tar Heels tore this statue down. Anti-racists run this town.” pic.twitter.com/PqpWDyh0l9
— Cole Villena (@colevillena) January 15, 2019
Police have returned to the Silent Sam pedestal and removed many of the barriers. A large construction vehicle loaded with wooden boards sits parked nearby. pic.twitter.com/n9r3QQ9DqA
— Cole Villena (@colevillena) January 15, 2019
Hard to see here, but it looks like the boards are being used to create a sort of path to the pedestal for the vehicle. We’ve been asked not to get closer. pic.twitter.com/4CVcd5KEMz
— Cole Villena (@colevillena) January 15, 2019
Lots of wood and chain being dropped around the pedestal. pic.twitter.com/Jmfbuttrea
— Cole Villena (@colevillena) January 15, 2019
Here’s the pile of rigging and the construction vehicle. pic.twitter.com/aDz9CBlLV5
— Cole Villena (@colevillena) January 15, 2019
We’ve been asked to move behind a long line of police tape. pic.twitter.com/j7bnGqKIRy
— Cole Villena (@colevillena) January 15, 2019
Workers spent some time adjusting the front of the vehicle, which has moved closer to the pedestal. pic.twitter.com/brohs69eTF
— Cole Villena (@colevillena) January 15, 2019
Quite a few people have gathered at this point. pic.twitter.com/NW7ynP0Ard
— Cole Villena (@colevillena) January 15, 2019
My colleagues with real cameras have surely gotten a better picture of this, but a worker has climbed onto the pedestal. It sounds like he’s drilling the top. pic.twitter.com/ucWmczamSV
— Cole Villena (@colevillena) January 15, 2019
Gary Williamson, founder of ACTBAC, is onsite. pic.twitter.com/kiacNaGgG3
— Cole Villena (@colevillena) January 15, 2019
Hooks have been drilled into the pedestal. Looks like the vehicle will be used as a crane to lift it. pic.twitter.com/xp25Z4Zl0m
— Cole Villena (@colevillena) January 15, 2019
Ropes being attached. pic.twitter.com/ct9D2PXMmk
— Cole Villena (@colevillena) January 15, 2019
The top pedestal has been removed. Rolling toward the Morehead parking lot. pic.twitter.com/orqb0dpn5G
— Cole Villena (@colevillena) January 15, 2019
Williamson apprehended after approaching the pedestal. “You’re breaking the law,” he shouts. pic.twitter.com/wLZRHQj0YK
— Cole Villena (@colevillena) January 15, 2019
Was just told by an anti-Sam protester that Williamson tried to slash the vehicle’s tires with a knife.
— Cole Villena (@colevillena) January 15, 2019
The pedestal’s being placed on a truck. pic.twitter.com/NRirX0AW0K
— Cole Villena (@colevillena) January 15, 2019
Looks like the whole thing is being removed tonight. pic.twitter.com/bYFu0FvEXF
— Cole Villena (@colevillena) January 15, 2019
The bottom portion of the pedestal is being removed. Few people are still here. pic.twitter.com/vtIixDbTN5
— Cole Villena (@colevillena) January 15, 2019
The last part is being lifted. pic.twitter.com/7jNN9Jv2Xi
— Cole Villena (@colevillena) January 15, 2019
The truck is on Franklin Street. One more piece left to load. pic.twitter.com/b4w0duSslq
— Cole Villena (@colevillena) January 15, 2019
The bottom part of the pedestal is being loaded on, and the largest is being covered with a tarp. pic.twitter.com/qgN8yrEAo8
— Cole Villena (@colevillena) January 15, 2019
Just saw this email. pic.twitter.com/VcAsQonX9t
— Cole Villena (@colevillena) January 15, 2019
This truck with Silent Sam’s pedestal on it is going to leave at some point. I have decided that I will be at home in bed. pic.twitter.com/Rt89dqBiLY
— Cole Villena (@colevillena) January 15, 2019