Police want to press charges but choose to not intervien as statue toppled.

[riversedge]

They knew about it ahead of time. whow. Doesn't that make the police complicit in the crime?





A protester kicks the toppled statue of a Confederate soldier after it was pulled down in Durham, N.C. Monday, Aug. 14, 2017. Activists on Monday evening used a rope to pull down the monument outside a Durham courthouse. The Durham protest was in response to a white nationalist rally held in Charlottesville, Va., over the weekend. The Herald-Sun via AP




Charges sought against those who toppled Confederate statue


By JONATHAN DREW Associated Press


August 15, 2017 9:10 AM
DURHAM, N.C.
....................

Durham County Sheriff Mike Andrews issued a statement Tuesday that investigators are using video footage to identify those responsible for toppling the statue. Law enforcement officers took video throughout the protest Monday in downtown Durham.

But they didn't intervene as demonstrators climbed a ladder, attached a rope and then pulled down the statue. The protest was in response to violence at a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, over the weekend.


Andrews said he chose to exercise restraint. He said he met with county leaders and protest organizers beforehand and was aware of the potential for vandalism.

.............

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/article167251487.html#storylink=cpy

[SWBTATTReg]

1. we in STLMO had our statue moment...

and it was somewhat vandalized too (spray-painted), but STLMO mayor still started preparing to remove statue from Forest Park and warehouse it, and a civil war museum then volunteered to take the statue, and paid for its' removal too. Whole process was done for most part, with peaceful protests...

Also had protests (along w/ other large cities) on the terrible Charlottesville neoNazi atrocity that took three lives needlessly...

Bless the protesters of evil, for they are mighty in voice...

[struggle4progress]

2. Andrews' full statement

I am grateful the events that unfolded Monday evening did not result in serious injury or the loss of life, but the planned demonstration should serve as a sobering example of the price we all pay when civil disobedience is no longer civil. Before the protest, my staff met with our community partners to discuss how to safely and appropriately respond to the protest. County leaders were aware of the risk of damage to the Confederate statute, as well as, the potential risk of injury to the public and officers should deputies attempt to control the crowd. Collectively, we decided that restraint and public safety would be our priority. As the Sheriff, I am not blind to the offensive conduct of some demonstrators nor will I ignore their criminal conduct. With the help of video captured at the scene, my investigators are working to identify those responsible for the removal and vandalism of the statue.

My deputies showed great restraint and respect for the constitutional rights of the group expressing their anger and disgust for recent events in our country. Racism and incivility have no place in our country or Durham. I am asking both city and county leaders to establish guidelines and safe spaces for protesters to prevent demonstrations from becoming disruptive and as we witnessed in Charlottesville, dangerous. Rightfully, Durham County and the City of Durham have a longstanding respect for the right of peaceable assembly. Recently, the Sheriff’s Office’s decision to arrest demonstrators at a public meeting was challenged in the court of law. My Agency has been the focus of demonstrations for more than a year, most of them peaceful. However, now may be the time for Durham to consider what is the best way to respond to continued protests while respecting every resident’s right to voice their opinion.

My deputies showed great restraint and respect for the constitutional rights of the group expressing their anger and disgust for recent events in our country. Racism and incivility have no place in our country or Durham. I am asking both city and county leaders to establish guidelines and safe spaces for protesters to prevent demonstrations from becoming disruptive and as we witnessed in Charlottesville, dangerous.

Rightfully, Durham County and the City of Durham have a longstanding respect for the right of peaceable assembly. Recently, the Sheriff’s Office’s decision to arrest demonstrators at a public meeting was challenged in the court of law. My Agency has been the focus of demonstrations for more than a year, most of them peaceful. However, now may be the time for Durham to consider what is the best way to respond to continued protests while respecting every resident’s right to voice their opinion.“

http://www.wral.com/durham-sheriff-to-seek-charges-for-confederate-statue-vandalism/16881777/

[malaise]

3. When your own government cheers on the tearing down of statues in foreign countries

citizens watch and learn

[struggle4progress]

4. ... Police said the Durham County Sheriff's Office is the agency that has jurisdiction

over all county buildings and landmarks. "When monitoring such incidents, the Sheriff's Office is the decision-making agency regarding law enforcement response on matters concerning county property," DPD explained ...

Sheriff to seek charges against Durham protestors
By Jonah Kaplan
http://abc30.com/politics/sheriff-to-seek-charges-against-durham-protestors/2310019/