CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) - The Latest on a public comment session regarding a Confederate statue on the campus of the University of North Carolina (all times local):
11:45 a.m.
About two-dozen speakers have voiced their opposition to a Confederate monument at North Carolina’s flagship public university during a meeting with top university officials.
The public comment session before University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill trustees lasted about two hours Wednesday and ended without any disruptions.
Thirty-two people had signed up to speak, but a few didn’t show up at their allotted time. Nearly all called for the statue’s removal, but several spoke in support of it.
At the meeting’s end, Chancellor Carol Folt thanked all who spoke and commended their bravery. It wasn’t clear what action the university could take. Folt has previously said state law prevents the university from removing the statue despite increased nationwide debate about Confederate monuments around the country.
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9:30 a.m.
Trustees for North Carolina’s flagship public university are hearing from students who oppose a campus Confederate monument.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s board heard from more than 30 speakers Wednesday morning at a comment session during its bimonthly meeting.
The statue of an anonymous rebel known as “Silent Sam” has been the site of demonstrations during a nationwide debate on Confederate monuments.
Board Chair Haywood Cochrane opened the session by saying the board was committed to campus safety and telling the full story of university history.
Chancellor Carol Folt has previously said state law prevents the school from removing the statue.
The first speaker was graduate student Maya Little. She said that the statue is a symbol of oppression that continues to pose a safety hazard.
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