It was decided in 2018 to change the statue’s plaque to include mention to his slave-trading activities but a final wording was never agreed.“Whilst history shouldn’t be forgotten, these people who benefited from the enslavement of individuals do not deserve the honour of a statue. Please {{#replies}} Boris Johnson: Anti-racism protests 'subverted by thuggery' Edward Colston statue: Protesters tear down slave trader monument Who was Edward Colston and why is Bristol divided by his legacy? "There was a very large number of people but very few arrests. The statue of the prominent 17th Century slave trader has been a source of controversy in Bristol for years. try again, the name must be unique Please He briefly served as a Tory MP for Bristol before dying in Mortlake, Surrey, in 1721. "I do not believe that anyone has the right to deface or destroy public property, no matter how warranted they believe their actions or motivation to be," he said.A petition has been set up at change.org for a statue of civil rights campaigner Dr Paul Stephenson to be erected as a replacement.Calls have also been made to remove the statue of imperialist Cecil Rhodes at Oriel College at Oxford, with campaigners saying the university Mr Johnson has vowed those responsible for violence during the anti-racism demonstrations in cities will be held to account, saying Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the way the statue had been pulled down was "completely wrong" but it should have been removed "a long, long time ago". "As an elected politician, obviously I cannot condone the damage and I am very concerned about the implications of a mass gathering on the possibility of a second Covid wave. Due to the sheer scale of this comment community, we are not able to give each post The statue of Edward Colston is a bronze statue of Bristol-born merchant Edward Colston (1636–1721), which was originally erected in The Centre in Bristol, England. It allows our most engaged readers to debate the big issues, share their own experiences, discuss
The statue of Edward Colston was dragged through Bristol before being thrown into the harbour to your comment. {{#sender.isSelf}} "Thousands of people attended largely peaceful demonstrations in cities across the UK at the weekend, including in Manchester, Wolverhampton, Nottingham, Glasgow and Edinburgh.The statue of the prominent 17th Century slave trader has been a source of controversy in Bristol for years.Ten thousand people descended on the city on Sunday for the protest Colston was a member of the Royal African Company, which transported about 80,000 men, women and children from Africa to the Americas.On his death in 1721, he bequeathed his wealth to charities and his legacy can still be seen on Bristol's streets, memorials and buildings.After the statue was toppled, a protester was pictured with his knee on the figure's neck - reminiscent of the video showing George Floyd, the black man who died while being restrained by a white Minnesota police officer.Home Secretary Priti Patel said the incident was "utterly disgraceful" and "it's not for mobs to tear down statues".Mr Rees said those comments showed an "absolute lack of understanding".He added the statue would be retrieved from the harbour "at some point" and it was likely to end up in a city museum. "Protesters in Bristol on Sunday described seeing Colston's statue being toppled as "empowering".Police said a "tactical decision" was taken by officers at the protest not to intervene as people pulled the statue down. Pictured is the statue covered up before it was pulled downProtesters pulling down a statue of slave trader Edward ColstonProtesters pulling down a statue of slave trader Edward ColstonA protester presses his knee into the neck of the Edward Colston statue Protesters dragging the statue of Edward Colston to Bristol harboursideThe statue is rolled along the street before being dropped into a nearby riverProtesters throw the statue of Edward Colston into Bristol harbour The Edward Colston statue has been pulled down by Black Lives Matter protesters in Bristol.
will be published daily in dedicated articles. He was generous to Bristol but it was off the back of slavery and it’s absolutely despicable. Last year Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees ordered a re-write of a second plaque, which was to be fixed on the statue to make reference to Colston's slave trade links. try again, the name must be unique Slave trader was a member of the Royal African Company which had a monopoly on the west African trade in the late 17th century. We’ll never solve structural racism till we get to grips with our history in all its complexity.”Dawn Butler, MP for Brent Central, used a clenched fist emoji and said “this caused me to exhale”.On Sunday, thousands of people joined anti-racism rallies in Bristol and other cities across the UK. continue to respect all commenters and create constructive debates. Slave trader was a member of the Royal African Company which had a monopoly on the west African trade in the late 17th centuryThe statue of slave trader Edward Colston that was toppled from its plinth and pushed into the docks by protesters has long caused anger and divided opinion in The 5.5-metre (18ft) bronze statue had stood on Colston Avenue since 1895 as a memorial to his philanthropic works, an avenue he developed after divesting himself of links to a company involved in the selling of tens of thousands of slaves. "People in Bristol who don't want that statue in the middle of the city came together and it is my job to unite, hear those voices and hold those truths together for people for who that statue is a personal affront. Start your Independent Premium subscription today.Are you sure you want to mark this comment as inappropriate?Independent Premium Comments can be posted by members of our membership scheme, Independent Premium. Bristol George Floyd protest: Colston statue toppled George Floyd death: Thousands turn out for UK anti-racism protests George Floyd death: How many black people die in police custody in England and Wales?