Four people turned themselves in to authorities in Durham, N.C., yesterday, to face charges for their role in toppling a Confederate monument on Monday. Joining them outside the Durham County courthouse were hundreds of other protesters, many of whom attempted to turn themselves in as well, reports the Huffington Post. “There were far more people there when the statue came down than have been charged,” said Durham City Council member Jillian Johnson. “They’re targeting specific people.”
Deputies declined to arrest any of the volunteers and blocked the crowd from entering the jail. The Durham County sheriff’s office said the fire marshal deemed the crowd a fire hazard due to its size and the capacity of the courtroom, and so protesters weren’t allowed in. Prosecutors say Monday’s protest was a riot, and say the statue was worth more than $1,500, thus justifying felony charges against four people initially charged.