On Monday, UNC-Chapel Hill Chancellor Carol Folt announced that she would resign from her position at the end of the academic year.

In her letter of resignation, Folt also announced that she had authorized the removal of the remainder of the monument which once held Silent Sam at McCorkle Place on UNC’s campus.

The reaction on social media was swift.

“You can’t choose your history, but you can choose the history you honor,” wrote Congressman David Price on Twitter. “Silent Sam has been a vestige of hate and a source of animus on UNC’s campus for far too long. I commend @ChancellorFolt for her leadership in doing what’s right for UNC & the Chapel Hill community.”

https://twitter.com/RepDavidEPrice/status/1084955667671277568

“I appreciate the Chancellor’s actions to keep students and the public safe,” wrote North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper. “North Carolina is welcoming to all, and our public university should reflect that. – RC”

The news of Folt’s resignation came as a surprise to many people. “wow. i did not expect this,” wrote John Schena, echoing the thoughts of many who were shocked at Folt’s announcement.

Former UNC basketball player Brice Johnson was among the people to speak out on social media, saying, “Now that’s a way to step down! Thank you @ChancellorFolt.”

For others, Folt’s resignation was a sign of victory after years of protests surrounding Silent Sam’s presence on campus.

“Direct action did this,” wrote Annette Rodriquez, whose Twitter bio describes her as a postdoc at UNC. “Tremendous gratitude for the UNC students who have worked so tirelessly and who have sacrificed so much for our collective well-bring to remove the structure and architecture of white supremacy at UNC. #SilentSam”

https://twitter.com/Alacranita/status/1084938326619185152

One user who chimed in on the situation was Ezra Baeli-Wang, a former UNC fencer who organized a letter containing more than 200 signatures from current and former UNC athletes calling for Silent Sam’s removal from campus.

“A brave move today by @Chancellor Folt recognizing the “clear, unequivocal, non-negotiable” responsibility of those beholden to @UNC and its people to remove symbols of hate from places of learning and growth. Many thanks to the ~300 #studentathletes supporting #Strikedown Sam.”

https://twitter.com/EzraBaeliWang/status/1084945083051491329

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