Committee asks residents if toppled Confederate monument should return to Durham

One year after protesters toppled a Confederate monument in Durham, city leaders are working to decide what to do with the site and other Confederate monuments.

Posted 9:20 p.m. Aug 14, 2018 — Updated 10:01 p.m. Aug 14, 2018

Janine Bowen

, WRAL.com editor

DURHAM, N.C. — One year after protesters toppled a Confederate monument in Durham, city leaders are working to decide what to do with the site and other Confederate monuments.

The statue was pulled down by several protesters who gathered at the courthouse last August to call for the removal of the monument following the deadly Charlottesville, Va. protests.

Eight people were charged in connection with the incident, but one person was found not guilty and charges were dismissed against the remaining seven in February.

Durham DA drops all charges in Confederate monument toppling case

A 12-person committee has been meeting for months, taking input from Durham residents about what to do in regards to Confederate monuments.

“You get used to a statue or a plaque, you don’t really look at it. This has encouraged us to look at our environment,” said Robin Kirk with the Committee on Confederate Monuments. “Durham is changing so much. We can reflect on our past. What do we want to say about our past?”

The day 'Durham stood up'

Committee members said they’ve heard from people who want the toppled state returned to its former location at the courthouse. Others want it permanently removed.

Another meeting regarding the monument is scheduled for Aug. 23 at Durham City Hall.

Suggest A Correction