CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WNCN) — UNC-Chapel Hill officials say that a person affiliated with the ‘Heirs to the Confederacy’ group is wanted in one of two “racist actions” that took place on the campus early Sunday.
In an email to the university Sunday afternoon, Interim Chancellor Kevin M. Guskiewicz said that UNC police are obtaining a warrant for the arrest of one person who was caught on surveillance video.
One incident happened around 1:30 a.m. Sunday when two people “defaced the Unsung Founders Memorial, writing racist and other deplorable language on it,” the email from Guskiewicz said.
UNC police also discovered that an art installation outside Hanes Art Center was “vandalized with hateful language and racial slurs,” the email said.
According to Guskiewicz, police are continuing to review video to identify another person involved.
“These events challenge not only our most fundamental community values, but also the safety of our campus,” the email said.
Here is the full email from Guskiewicz:
Dear Carolina Community,
I want to make you aware of two racist actions that took place on our campus early this morning.
At approximately 1:30 a.m. Sunday, two individuals defaced the Unsung Founders Memorial, writing racist and other deplorable language on it. University Police contacted the facilities department, and the Memorial was cleaned. In addition, University Police discovered that an installation outside Hanes Art Center was also vandalized with hateful language and racial slurs today. Both incidents are being investigated.
University Police are in the process of obtaining a warrant for the arrest of one of the individuals who is known to be affiliated with the Heirs to the Confederacy and was identified on surveillance tape. University Police are reviewing the tape to identify the other person involved.
These events challenge not only our most fundamental community values, but also the safety of our campus. Lawless behavior will not be tolerated, and those found responsible will be held accountable for their actions.
If you receive threats or ever feel your safety is threatened, including on social media, contact police by dialing 911.
Sincerely,
Kevin M. Guskiewicz
Interim Chancellor
