CHAPEL HILL- The “Silent Sam” Confederate memorial on UNC-Chapel Hill’s campus and other locations were spray-painted stating “Who is Sandra Bland?” Tuesday morning.
Bland, 28, was found hanged last month in a jail in Texas. Her death has sparked protests around the U.S. about how her death happened and possible racial violence.
A post office on E. Franklin Street was also spray painted stating the same question.
Silent Sam was vandalized in early July with words “murderer” and “black lives matter.”
Classes for UNC students started Tuesday.
In a statement, UNC officials said “The Carolina community have come together to welcome first-year and returning students. This is what Carolina is all about, and this includes our commitment to free speech and open dialogue on all issues, no matter how emotional and at times painful. Vandalism like this is unfortunate, because it is the antithesis of open discussion and the traditions and principles for which the University stands.”
The statue has been controversial for a while, including in December 2014, someone left a rope at its feet and put a hood over its head.
The statue of the Confederate Army soldier was erected in 1913 to commemorate the hundreds of UNC students who died in the Civil War.
In response to the South Carolina church shootings, Confederate historical symbols have been controversial.