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1 year after toppling, Silent Sam's future still unclear

One year ago Tuesday, a group of protesters toppled the Silent Sam statue at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The debate on where Silent Sam should go next continues on campus.

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By
Emmy Victor
, WRAL reporter
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — One year ago Tuesday, a group of protesters toppled the Silent Sam statue at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The statue was dedicated in 1913 in memory of students and faculty who fought and died for the Confederacy in the U.S. Civil War.

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Hundreds of people were at McCorkle Place when the statue fell, and in April, two men were found guilty of injury to real property, injury to personal property, disorderly conduct and riot.

As students start classes Tuesday, they won't find one indicator that Silent Sam once stood near Franklin Street. The patch of grass where the base of the monument touched has been repaired.

After falling, statue was moved to a secret location, and the university later removed its base.

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The debate on where Silent Sam should go next has continued on campus for the past year.

A task force made up of five members of the University of North Carolina system’s Board of Governors has been working for months to decide.

The board’s next meeting is Sept. 19, but Silent Sam isn’t on the agenda.

Those in support of Silent Sam's removal are returning to campus for the year anniversary of its toppling.

A rally is being organized across the street at 7 p.m. UNC police will monitor the situation.

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