Urgent Situation Unfolding in Durham – Calls, Donations, Signatures Needed

After a courageous demonstration that toppled a Confederate monument in Durham, North Carolina the Durham County government has decided to side with white supremacists and their legacy.

The Durham County Sheriffs have opened a campaign of repression against those involved in this heroic action – arresting activists on serious charges, raiding organizers’ homes, and creating a climate of intimidation. We need your help now to defend community activists and let the state know we won’t back down! 

Like many, we were horrified by the murder of Heather Heyer by neo-Nazis in Charlottesville, Virginia. But we were equally inspired by the outpouring of resistance of many thousands to shut down the “Unite the Right” rally there that Heather was a part of, and to resist the growing tide of racism and white supremacy in this country. The events in Charlottesville have set off a powerful wave of resistance and solidarity across the country in its wake.

On Monday August 14, hundreds of people gathered in Durham, North Carolina for a demonstration to express solidarity with Charlottesville and the struggle against white supremacy. They gathered outside the Durham County Courthouse, where a monument to the Confederacy stands tall right outside the main entrance. That is – until they took matters into their own hands.

In a righteous display of people power, the demonstration toppled the monument.Durham County responded by targeting and arresting freedom fighters involved in the action.

Durham sheriffs arrested freedom fighter Takiyah Thompson at a press conference by community anti-racist activists the following day. At Takiyah’s court hearing this morning – Wednesday, August 16 – police arrested Loan Tran and Dante Strobino. They have further indicated that they will attempt to press more charges against people involved in the action. We will not allow this to intimidate the peoples’ will to tear every monument to white supremacy down!