Officers arrest 11 at protest near NC Confederate statue

PITTSBORO, N.C. — Authorities said 11 people have been arrested in North Carolina during a protest near a Confederate statue slated for removal, WTVD reported.

The News & Observer reported that a fight erupted Saturday in Pittsboro when protesters who oppose the statue’s removal complained about counterprotesters standing near a protester’s vehicle.

Chatham County deputies arrested the following:

• Lindsay Ayling, 32, was charged with simple assault
• Maya Little was charged with simple affray, inciting a riot and felony malicious conduct by a prisoner
• Calvin James Megginson, 29, was charged with simple assault
• Robert Butler, 27, was charged with inciting a riot
• Allan Wayne Hall, 52, was charged with inciting a riot and simple affray following an altercation during the protest
• Russell Alphin, 64, was charged with simple affray
• Jonathan Canfield, 22, was charged with simple assault
• Thalia Considnie, 30, was charged with simple affray
• Christina Gibson, 45, was charged with simple assault
• Geraldine Hall, 50, was charged with simple affray
• Esther Mack, 27, was charged with simple affray

On Wednesday, a judge lifted an injunction that has blocked the county from removing the statute from where it has stood outside a courthouse since 1907. Several people have been arrested at previous protests.

"The safety of the public remains our number one concern," Capt. Chris Cooper said. "We encourage all members of the public to treat each other with respect and refrain from aggressive conduct toward one another."

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Associated Press