Remnants of ‘Silent Sam’ removed from UNC’s campus overnight

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WNCN) - Just hours after University of North Carolina Chancellor Carol Folt announced she's stepping down and approved the removal of Silent Sam's remnants, work crews set up around the statue's former location at McCorkle Place on the school's campus.

Those crews began working to remove the remnants of the monument before 12:45 a.m. Tuesday.

"Due to public safety concerns, the University is currently removing the base and plaques of the Confederate Monument for storage in a secure location. We ask people to avoid the area at this time," UNC said in a release.

CBS 17's crew on scene observed police on campus take a person into custody.

In the same announcement of her stepping down, Folt said she authorized the removal of the base and commemorative plaques from the Confederate Monument site in McCorkle Place.

"As chancellor, the safety of the UNC-Chapel Hill community is my clear, unequivocal and non-negotiable responsibility. The presence of the remaining parts of the monument on campus poses a continuing threat both to the personal safety and well-being of our community and to our ability to provide a stable, productive educational environment," she said.

The base was removed by 4:30 a.m.