Chatham County removed the Confederate monument outside its historic courthouse in downtown Pittsboro Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning, according to a release from the county.

The release said crews worked several hours to “safely and respectfully dismantle the Confederate monument, which includes the statue and pedestal.” The county said the items were taken to a safe location for preservation until the local chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, who dedicated and erected the statue as a gift to the town in 1907, determines a different spot for it.

Protests and tension have surrounded the statue for weeks following the Chatham County Board of Commissioners’ vote to have the statue relocated. Disputes have risen between those who oppose the monument’s removal and those who support it in recent days, peaking when 11 people were arrested following physical altercations on November 18.

The UDC, who failed to present a plan to the Board of Commissioners for an alternative location for the statue, previously filed an injunction to halt the monument’s removal. The denial of the motion by a judge last week, however, gave the county the opportunity to declare the statue in trespass and have it removed.

Chair of Chatham County’s Board of Commissioners Mike Dasher said the last several months have been a difficult time in Chatham County with the divisiveness created by the presence of the statue.

“We’ve experienced high emotions, division and even violence which have impacted residents, businesses and the overall feel of our community,” he said in a release. “What’s clear now is that the overwhelming majority of our residents are eager to move forward.”

The county warned members of the public and media about venturing into the area of downtown Pittsboro near the statue in its initial press release, reminding people the space is an active construction zone and law enforcement would be on-scene. Roads were temporarily closed during the evening and traffic was redirected.

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