Mass turn-in at the jail today to demand charges be dropped! If you target some of us, you'll have to arrest all of… https://t.co/0EnNAMbrFi
Dozens of people lined up outside the Durham County Sheriff's Office Thursday to turn themselves in for tearing down a statue of a Confederate soldier this week, in solidarity with Takiyah Thompson, a member of the Workers World Party and student at NC Central University who was arrested Tuesday for her part in the act and who faces felony charges.
"For folks who came willing to put hands in cuffs today, to take a risk, either symbolic or factual, for taking responsibility for the removal of that statue, this whole community says thank you," said Serena Sebring, an organizer with advocacy group Southerners on New Ground (SONG). "You represent the very best of us, and we are so grateful."
Serena of SONG: the future is now, and the future is not one of the white supremacist confederacy #DefendDurham
Sebring said that she and the dozens of people lined up were prepared to take responsibility for the statue's removal, despite not being present or directly involved on Monday.
The statue of a Confederate soldier stood in front of the courthouse in Durham and had been erected in 1924. Protesters gathered Monday, tore the statue down, and then kicked and spat on the fallen monument in a demonstration against the violence in Charlottesville that left one woman dead and 19 others injured.
Bree Newsome, the Black Lives Matter activist who tore down the Confederate flag outside the South Carolina statehouse in June 2015, tweeted in support of the action.
Beautiful ✊🏾❤️👏🏾 https://t.co/xzk5n8nbj0
Dozens continued to line the halls of the courthouse throughout the day.
strong turnout at the courthouse for those who took down the momunent. only growing. #DefendDurham
Thompson was charged with two felonies: participation in a riot with property damage in excess of $1,500 (Class H) and inciting others to riot where there is property damage in excess of $1,500 (Class F), according to reports.
She also was charged with two misdemeanors: disorderly conduct and damage to real property.
The Durham County Sheriff's Office released a statement Thursday saying the authorities support the right to peaceable assembly.
“As the custodian of the courthouse, the safety and security of visitors and employees will remain a top priority for the Sheriff’s Office," wrote Sheriff Mike Andrews. "We have taken steps to ensure the daily operation of the courthouse can proceed without disruption."