RALEIGH, N.C. -- Governor Roy Cooper has released a statement following the State Historical Commission's vote to keep three confederate statues at the state Capitol. 

• Gov. Cooper is calling for the removal of confederate statues. 
• He says it's time to document and learn from history without idolizing painful symbols.
• This follows the State Historical Commission voting to keep three confederate monuments at the state Capitol.

The full statement reads: "It is time for North Carolina to realize that we can document and learn from our history without idolizing painful symbols. The General Assembly needs to change its 2015 law so our state and its people have a better path to remove or relocate these monuments safely, and I urge those who object to the monuments to call on their legislators to change the law and support legislative candidates who want to move our state forward."

"The actions that toppled Silent Sam bear witness to the strong feelings many North Carolinians have about Confederate monuments. I don’t agree with or condone the way that monument came down, but protesters concluded that their leaders would not – could not—act on the frustration and pain it caused. I acknowledge, too, those who believe these monuments should stay as they are because they symbolize our history. But they are just one part of our history. North Carolina is welcoming to all, and our most prominent public places should reflect that."

RELATED: State Historical Commission votes to keep Confederate monuments at state Capitol

This statement also comes after former North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory likened protesters who pulled down the Silent Sam statue at UNC-Chapel Hill to nazis.