Penn State students protect Joe Paterno statue
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}July 18, 2012: Kim Ranck touches the arm on the Joe Paterno statue as she walks away in tears. (AP/Centre Daily Times)
Amid calls for the removal of football coach Joe Paterno's statue from Penn State campus, some students have begun a vigil to protect it from vandals.
Seniors Mike Elliot and Kevin Berkon organized a gathering at the statue after a plane flew over the campus Tuesday with a banner that read: "Take the statue down or we will." The students said they would be at the statue again Wednesday night, but weren't sure how long they would keep the vigil.
Paterno was fired after former assistant Jerry Sandusky was charged last winter with sex abuse of 10 boys. Paterno died in January. Sandusky was convicted, and is awaiting sentencing.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A university investigation recently concluded that Paterno and other Penn State officials concealed information about the allegations to protect the school.