Monument protests leave residual effects on downtown Pittsboro, Chatham

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PITTSBORO — There’s no Confederate statue or monument outside the Chatham County Agricultural and Conference Center in Pittsboro.

The monument at the center of local discussion was about a mile down the road, the site of protests and counter-protests on consecutive Saturdays over recent weeks. But that didn’t stop this small group, which ranged from four to seven people, from holding Confederate flags and waving at visitors last Thursday at the Ag Center.

“The more people are aware of what’s going on, the better,” said Robin Whittington, one of the flag-wavers.

Inside the conference center, representatives from nearly 45 municipal and county governments in central North Carolina were meeting as part of the Triangle J Council of Government’s Regional Summit. The flaggers’ appearance didn’t escape the notice of Jim Crawford, a Chatham County Commissioner and chairman of TJCOG’s executive committee.

“I’m glad they’re there because they’re doing our work for us,” Crawford said. “They’re showing that they are deliberately being an irritant, which they know that to display that flag is an irritation.”

Protests and arrests have increased over the last month in response to the commissioners’ decision to terminate the agreement between the county and Winnie Davis Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy to locate the “Our Confederate Heroes” monument in downtown Pittsboro on county property, outside the Chatham County Historic Courthouse. Response from residents and county leaders have varied, but most are concerned about one aspect or another.

Arrests

Chatham County Sheriff Mike Roberson said he and his department attend the protests to protect individuals’ First Amendment rights. The First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States says “Congress shall make no law abridging...the right of the people peaceably to assemble.” Roberson said he supports that — until weapons show up.

“I think it disturbs me that people are bringing weapons to it and that the arrests have included people that have weapons,” he said. “We have a First Amendment because not everybody would agree with what they’re protesting to. But to bring weapons and things that would go toward it not being a peaceful protest concerns me.”

Six individuals were arrested over an eight-day span within the last three weeks. A Virginia woman and Durham woman were taken into custody Oct. 5 with charges including illegally carrying a concealed weapon, while a Pittsboro man was charged that day with disorderly conduct. The week before, on Sept. 28, a Fuquay-Varina man and Chapel Hill man were cited for simple affray, while a Siler City man was arrested for assault on a law enforcement officer and disorderly conduct.

Roberson said he wouldn’t share if the department’s crowd management strategy has changed to try to prevent arrests, but that deputies would simply continue to “protect their First Amendment rights.”

Business

In the midst of the Oct. 5 protests, Chatham Economic Development Corporation President Alyssa Byrd went to Twitter and made this statement: “Regardless of what side of the argument you’re on: this is disrupting business and commerce in downtown Pittsboro, week after week.”

Cindy Poindexter, president and CEO of the Chatham Chamber of Commerce, has the same perspective.

“I have heard from some businesses that the protesting has been disruptive to their business,” she said. “Regardless of what side you are on, the businesses still have a business to run. Their business is their livelihood and it provides valuable services that support our community.”

A continuation of the protests could have a negative effect on the livelihood of downtown Pittsboro, according to Poindexter.

“I fear that consumers will go elsewhere to avoid protesters,” she said. “This could affect businesses, their employees, residents and the town.”

Schools

A group of flaggers made news last month when a Confederate flag was hoisted in the vicinity of Horton Middle School, named for former slave and poet George Moses Horton. No incidents at the school have been reported, but Chatham County Schools Public Relations Coordinator John McCann said the district is keeping an eye on proceedings just as they normally would near school grounds.

“We want to make sure when kids come to our campus every day, they feel welcomed and feel included, regardless of what’s across the street,” McCann said. “Like in all situations, we’re going to keep an eye on things and act accordingly in terms of safety.”

A welcoming county?

Leading off last week’s TJCOG meeting, Pittsboro Mayor Pro Tem Pamela Baldwin said the town was a welcoming place, and “contrary to recent events,” Pittsboro and its citizens were working to keep it that way.

“You are always welcome to our town,” she said. “Anytime you come into any of our merchants’ stores, you will certainly be greeting with a warm smile.”

Whittington and her fellow flaggers said they wouldn’t say why they were present outside the TJCOG meeting.

“I can’t give you the strategy of why we do what we do,” she said. “But just trust me, there’s a strategy.”

Steve Marley, an Alamance County resident who said his ancestors fought in Chatham County regiments in the Civil War, added, “There’s a strategy. There’s no telling where we’ll end up.”

Crawford made a Civil War reference in response to the protests.

“They understand this causes certain people discomfort and pain,” he said. “They’re looking to leverage that pain to protect the statue. But, it’s 1864, they cannot un-burn the Shenandoah Valley.”

In late 1864, Union General Philip H. Sheridan won three major battles in the Shenandoah Valley, crippling the Southern army and leading to Robert E. Lee’s surrender the following April.

Bringing it to modern day — as Commissioner Chair Mike Dasher said earlier this month, “barring any legal challenge, there is zero chance that the Board of Commissioners revisits this issue. Zero.”

Reporter Zachary Horner can be reached at zhorner@chathamnr.com or on Twitter at @ZachHornerCNR.