For the average Elon University student, the idea of their small university town trending and having its name known is nothing short of a dream — until now. Reality struck Saturday when 1,500 protestors gathered in front of the Alamance County courthouse in Graham to show support for a local monument that depicted a Confederate soldier. While the events themselves have no affiliation with Elon University, they continue to show how the satirically coined term “the Elon bubble” gained prominence as the two locations continue to be juxtaposed in activity.
Down the street, less than 10 miles away from a private liberal arts university, protesters vehemently supported a symbol that both claims to be derived from southern heritage and remains a reminder of the racism in America.
FOX8 News reported that the group Concerned Citizens of Alamance County wished for the statue to be taken down in light of its offensive ties to slavery and the fact that it stood on government property, especially given the national movement toward banning the Confederate flag and related paraphernalia.
Organizers of the rally felt differently, and those present were surrounded by Confederate flags, posters with the phrase “Southern Heritage,” and chants claiming the removal of the statue would be a removal of important local history.
A petition began during the event, and in less than two hours it obtained 7,000 signatures.
“It doesn’t matter if people get 10,000 signatures in support of keeping the monument. This is about right and wrong,” said Michael Graves, president of the Concerned Citizens group.
The protest proved peaceful and passionate, with no arrests or need for the law enforcement officers to use their riot gear.
Alamance County has certainly grasped the nation’s attention, although such events lead to antiquated arguments on the meaning of a 153-year-old symbol, especially in wake of the lowering of the Confederate flag days after the disastrous Charleston shooting.