Orange County Human Relations Commission Hosting Silent Sam Conversation

Another group is holding a community conversation regarding Silent Sam as the controversy surrounding the Confederate monument on the UNC campus has been growing in recent weeks.

The statue was pulled down by protesters on August 20, and there have been more than two dozen arrests following multiple demonstrations in the weeks since.

The Orange County Human Relations Commission is hosting an event titled “Hate, Heritage, and Hope: Orange County Voices on ‘Silent Sam’” on Monday night. The event is aiming to “work with other residents of varying views to seek mutual understanding and to make recommendations on the issue.”

UNC – Chapel Hill Chancellor Carol Folt and the campus Board of Trustees have been directed by the UNC System to develop a plan for the “disposition and preservation” of Silent Sam. That report is due by November 15.

The campus established an email address to solicit public input on the future of the monument.

Monday night’s human relations commission event is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. at the Southern Human Services Center on Homestead Road in Chapel Hill. Event organizers said Chapel Hill Police Chief Chris Blue will be among the presenters providing opening remarks.

There was some criticism regarding policing tactics being used at demonstrations since the monument was pulled down. UNC Police have jurisdiction over policing at the monument, which is on campus grounds.

Monday night’s event is free and open to the public.

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