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North Carolina takes down confederate statue from courthouse amidst 'high emotions, division and even violence'

Nearby residents gathered outside the Chatham County courthouse as workers carefully dismantled the historical 27-foot high statue. Motorized lifts were used to secure the statue, as seen in television news footage, before a crane pulled it off the premises. 

A century-old Confederate statue was taken down from a North Carolina courthouse on Wednesday, becoming the latest monument to come down in the state despite a law protecting them. 

Nearby residents gathered outside the Chatham County courthouse as workers carefully dismantled the historical 27-foot high statue. Motorized lifts were used to secure the statue, as seen in television news footage, before a crane pulled it off the premises, Fox News reports.

In 2015, North Carolina enacted a law restricting the removal of public monuments, and thus taking down confederate statues is a rare phenomenon in the state. While county officials argued in court how the monument was private property belonging to the United Daughters of the Confederacy, the judge presiding over the case declined to block the removal from proceeding.

Supporters and protestors of the monument had gathered near the statue several times in past weeks, often leading to skirmishes and  arrests.

"The last several months have been a painful time for Chatham County. We've experienced high emotions, division, and even violence which have impacted residents, businesses and the overall feel of our community," Chatham County Board of Commissioners Chair Mike Dasher said in a statement. "What's clear now is that the overwhelming majority of our residents are eager to move forward."

Confederate monuments are located at contemporary or historic courthouses in more than half of North Carolina's counties, per a state tally. Having said that, observers at the scene had mixed opinions regarding the statue's removal. Speaking to Raleigh's WRAL-TV, Robert Butler, a supporter of the monument, said it was a "heartbreaking" sight.

"A statue's never hurt a soul, just like a grave memorial,” he said. “Do they hurt anybody?"

On the other hand, Sandra Day, of Moncure, told The News & Observer how she got out of bed and put on a heavy coat just to watch the statue come down.

"It's an honor and a privilege to be standing here," she said. "I wanted to see it for myself."