Union Soldier Campaign

to march for immediate renaming of

UNC Tar Heels nickname to Rams

August 10, 2020 (Monday)

11:30am – UNC-Chapel Hill

WHO: Dressed in military fatigues, a battalion of 79 troops from the Union Soldier Campaign (and whoever else wants to join in) representing a cross-section of UNC students, faculty, employees and alumni.

WHAT: The Union Soldier Campaign will lead a peaceful march on the campus of the University of North Carolina. The Union Soldier Campaign is publicly petitioning the UNC Board of Trustees and the UNC Board of Governors to immediately rename the Tar Heels nickname to Rams. This ‘Back to School’ event will feature prayer, speeches, and the playing of inspiring songs.

WHY: Tar Heel is an epithet adopted by Confederate soldiers who fought vigorously to maintain and expand slavery.

WHEN: 11:30am – Monday, August 10, 2020

WHERE: The 1.5 mile march will begin with a rally at UNC’s South Building and end at the UNC System Office on Raleigh Rd.

COVID-19: This march will follow CDC guidelines and ensure face coverings and social distancing.

Union Soldier Campaign responds to UNC Board of Trustees member regarding renaming Tar Heels to Rams

At the UNC Board of Trustees meeting on July 16, 2020, a UNC Trustees member defended the University’s nickname of Tar Heels from recent attacks on social media for being associated with Confederate soldiers. “I’m very proud to be a Tar Heel,” said Charles Duckett, University Affairs Committee Chair.

Statement by William Thorpe

Director, Union Soldier Campaign

Sunday, July 19^th, 2020

Chapel Hill, NC

Sir, does your statement mean you are very proud to be an epithet adopted by Confederate soldiers who fought vigorously to maintain and expand slavery?

Go Rams!

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

12:00pm – Bennett Place, Durham, NC – site of the largest surrender of Confederate troops of the Civil War

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

1:00pm – UNC-Chapel Hill

William Thorpe leads the ‘Union Soldier Campaign’ in a protest at the South Building on the UNC campus, calling for the university to drop the ‘Tar Heel’ mascot name, due to it’s connection to the civil war and the confederacy on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 in Chapel Hill, N.C.

Robert Willett RWILLETT@NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Thanks for supporting our efforts to

promote the values and ideals of America.

News and Observer coverage: July 14, 2020

Click here: CBS 17 Raleigh news coverage – Group calls for change to UNC’s ‘Tar Heels’ nickname – 7/14/20

Click here; News and Observer article: Does UNC’s ‘Tar Heels’ name celebrate the Confederacy? Some think it’s time for change – 7/14/20

DEDICATION: This special event was held in remembrance of all victims of racial violence by law enforcement officials or vigilantes.

USA/UNC Walk for Health